Police have made an arrest and laid charges against two men relating to an incident near Okotoks where shots were fired and one person was injured. Okotoks RCMP was called to an MD of Foothills residence near Okotoks around 5:30 a.m. Feb.
Police have made an arrest and laid charges against two men relating to an incident near Okotoks where shots were fired and one person was injured.
Okotoks RCMP was called to an MD of Foothills residence near Okotoks around 5:30 a.m. Feb. 24 after reports of gunfire. A homeowner allegedly encountered two individuals rummaging through his vehicles, and in the ensuing confrontation, a firearm was discharged an unknown amount of times.
The suspects fled the scene, but one was later located with an injury to his arm and was subsequently taken to hospital where he received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
RCMP charged Ryan Watson, the individual that was found with the wound to his arm, with trespassing by night, mischief to property, theft over $5,000 from a motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, and two counts of failure to comply with probation. He was taken into custody after release from hospital and appeared in court on Feb. 26 in Calgary.
Police have also charged Edouard Maurice, the homeowner, with aggravated assault, pointing a firearm, and careless use of a firearm. Following a judicial interim release hearing, Maurice was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Okotoks Provincial Court on March 9.
The Okotoks RCMP's General Investigative Section is still making efforts to identify the second suspect from the original incident.
After the initial report, RCMP Sgt. Shawn French urged that homeowners shouldn't take matters into their own hands.
"We encourage residents to keep an eye out for their property and their neighbours, but to do so within the boundaries of the law," said French.
"If you spot something suspicious call the police don't attempt to pursue or subdue the suspects."
"While firearms are an integral part of rural life ... they can result in personal injury or criminal charges being laid if they're pointed at somebody or discharged at a person."
Anyone with information about the second individual is asked to call the Okotoks RCMP at 403-999-6400. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If the information leads to an arrest, tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
