FORT McMURRAY — A 23-year-old man is facing charges after RCMP responded to a weapons complaint in Gregoire Lake Reserve south of Fort McMurray.
Wood Buffalo RCMP said officers were called shortly after 1 a.m. on May 29 following reports a man armed with a knife was chasing another person who was carrying a child near Raven Lane.
Police said the victim was able to escape into a nearby residence and was not physically injured.
When officers arrived, the suspect had retreated into a home on Spruce Drive and allegedly continued brandishing the knife while refusing repeated demands to surrender.
RCMP called in additional resources, including Police Dog Services, a remotely piloted aircraft system, the Alberta RCMP Real Time Operations Centre and the Emergency Response Team.
Residents in the area were also notified of the heavy police presence through the RCMP’s RAVE public safety notification system.
While emergency response officers were travelling to the community, investigators obtained a Feeney warrant authorizing police entry into the residence.
RCMP said officers deployed pepper spray into the home.
At approximately 3 a.m., the suspect exited the residence and was arrested without further incident.
Jerome Cardinal, 23, of Gregoire Lake Reserve, has been charged with assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Following a judicial interim release hearing, Cardinal was released on conditions.
He is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on June 17.
The investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Wood Buffalo RCMP General Investigation Section.
Gregoire Lake Reserve is located approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray.
Comments