UMVA has learned that a shocking act of arson has been committed against an American professional baseball team during a road trip to Winnipeg, Canada. The Kane County Cougars, a U.S.-based independent team, were traveling in Canada for games against the Winnipeg Goldeyes when their charter bus was engulfed in flames.
The fire broke out on May 21, with law enforcement agencies responding to the scene outside Blue Cross Park. Authorities quickly determined that the fire was intentionally set, leading to the arrest of two teenagers. A 15-year-old girl has since been charged with arson causing damage to property and possession of incendiary material.
The teen was later released into the custody of a responsible adult, police said. The consequences of her actions are severe: the entire bus and its contents were destroyed, with estimated damages totaling roughly $425,000. The bus, a 56-seat vehicle, was a significant loss for Windstar, the company that owned it.
Windstar operations manager Jackson Greteman expressed his disappointment and frustration, stating that the loss of the vehicle will impact the company's business and operations. He was relieved that no one was hurt in the reckless act of vandalism and pledged to cooperate with local authorities.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not publicly discussed a possible motive for the arson. The Winnipeg Police Service has confirmed that the 15-year-old girl is facing serious charges, but details about her identity and potential accomplices remain scarce.
The Kane County Cougars were scheduled to play games against the Winnipeg Goldeyes during their trip to Canada. The team's road trip was derailed by the shocking act of vandalism, which left them without a bus and with significant financial losses.
