FORT McMURRAY — Two Fort McMurray men are facing charges after police say a replica firearm was pointed at another driver during an early morning incident in Thickwood.
Wood Buffalo RCMP responded shortly after 3:15 a.m. Thursday following a report involving two people in a grey Jeep Wrangler. Police allege a firearm was pointed at another driver and the Jeep’s driver attempted to ram the other vehicle.
Officers located the Jeep near Thickwood Boulevard and Tower Road and arrested both occupants without incident.
Police seized what initially appeared to be a firearm from the driver’s side of the Jeep. Further examination determined it was a replica.
Cody Batten, 30, and Corey King-Blackwood, 23, both of Fort McMurray, have each been charged with using a firearm in the commission of an offence, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and pointing a firearm.
Batten is also charged with dangerous operation and failing or refusing to comply with an alcohol demand.
Insp. Troy Switzer, acting officer in charge of Wood Buffalo RCMP, said replica firearms can be difficult to distinguish from real weapons and can create the same fear for victims and risks for responding police officers.
Both men were held for judicial interim release hearings and have since been released.
Batten is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on Aug. 19, while King-Blackwood is scheduled to appear Aug. 26.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
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