Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Grande Prairie RCMP would like to inform the public that charges have been laid with regards to the heavy police presence release on Dec. 20, 2023. Considering the nature of the incident, a list of charges will be provided, but the people involved will remain unnamed.
As a result of the investigation, a 42-year-old resident of Grande Prairie was charged with 16 offences, including:
- Attempted murder (x2);
- Kidnapping;
- Reckless use of firearm;
- Pointing a firearm;
- Assault with a weapon;
- Uttering threats (x2);
- Possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose;
- Careless use of a firearm;
- Mischief over $5,000; and
- Possession of stolen goods under $5,000, to wit, a shotgun.
The accused, once deemed medically sound, appeared before a justice of the peace and was remanded into custody. He is to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Grande Prairie on Jan. 11, 2024.
Background:
Dec. 21, 2023
Grande Prairie RCMP advise of heavy police presence – Update
On Dec. 20, at approximately 11 a.m., Grande Prairie RCMP responded to a domestic dispute in progress in a north west community of Grande Prairie. A 42-year-old man held a woman in her residence at gun point. The man had previously assaulted the woman causing injury. The man had also discharged his firearm inside the residence.
RCMP officers arrived and contained the area. Officers gained entry to the residence where an interaction took place between officers and the man with the firearm. During the interaction, police were able to extract the female and bring her to safety.
Police exited from the residence and kept the area contained awaiting supports from the Emergency Response Team. The male subsequently discharged a firearm resulting in officers discharging their firearms shooting the male.
Officers provided first aid before paramedics took over. The man was transported to an area hospital to receive additional medical care. The injured female victim was taken to a local hospital and has since been released. No officers or members of the public were injured.
There is no longer a hold and secure in place around the community nor a concern for public safety at this time.
The RCMP believes in processes that seek the facts and it’s important that processes taken to assess the actions of all those involved, including the police, are fair, transparent, and defendable. This is why, as soon as we became aware of this incident, we immediately notified the Director of Law Enforcement and initiated our internal review process. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the actions of the police during this investigation.
Independent of ASIRT’s investigation, the RCMP’s internal review process has been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident. RCMP training, policy, police response, and the member’s duty status will be subject to review. The RCMP is, of course, fully cooperating with ASIRT. All media inquiries about this incident should now be directed to ASIRT at 780-641-9099.
Background:
Dec. 20, 2023
Grande Prairie RCMP advise of heavy police presence
Grande Prairie RCMP would like to advise the public of heavy police presence in the Mountview/Summit neighborhoods. The public is asked to avoid the area within these four boundaries: 96 St, 92 St, 116 Ave and 108 Ave. Residents within view of police response are asked to shelter in place and stay away from windows.
We ask that photos of responding officers not be placed on social media until after the incident is over.
A release will be sent out once the scene has been cleared.