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What was supposed to be a jolly jamboree turned into a violent melee after a man crashed a party Sunday at the Cold Lake Seniors Centre.

Staff Sgt. Jeremie Landry, commander of the Cold Lake RCMP detachment, said officers were called to the Cold Lake Seniors Centre about 12:45 p.m. Sunday after jamboree attendees reported a man acting strangely was causing a disturbance.

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What officers at first expected to be a fairly mundane call quickly erupted into a violent struggle, with the man damaging the walls and leaving blood all over the centre’s main floor.

“His strength was superhuman,” said Landry, who added police think drugs were a factor.

After a lengthy struggle with the man, who police say at one point was choking an officer, he was apprehended.

The man was taken to Cold Lake Hospital for treatment before he was taken into custody.

Two RCMP officers were also taken to hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

“The officer (who was choked) is doing well. Obviously, that would be a traumatic event for anyone, but the officer is doing well and has remained on duty,” Landry said.

Landry said numerous witnesses watched the violent altercation, so victims services was called to aid those traumatized while officers helped clean up the mess.