Battlefords RCMP had 594 calls for service during the past service period, a jump from the last few weeks. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

False alarm

RCMP Report: False shooting report results in arrest

Oct 28, 2021 | 12:23 PM

Battlefords RCMP have charged a 22 year-old male for calling in a false report of a shooting on Tuesday.

Police responded swiftly to a call shortly after 6 p.m. that evening, where the caller stated a suspect was shooting multiple rounds at a business on 100^th Street in North Battleford. As a result, Jonathan Gunville is charged with one count of public mischief and appeared in court Wednesday.

Sgt. Neil Tremblay said this sort of issue is a rare occurrence.

“For someone to call in and insinuate that, basically, a mass shooting is occurring is something we don’t get that often, if at all,” he said. “So, we took it very seriously and that’s where the charge of a false report comes in.”

“It caused a pretty significant police response, where all units in the area headed in the same direction.”

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Three days prior to the false alarm, the Battlefords RCMP Gang Task Force seized two sawed off firearms after they responded to a complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of 21^st Street in Battleford.

As a result of the investigation, 36 year-old Justin Fraser has been charged with multiple firearms offences and appeared in court on Monday. Tremblay said the only reason for possession of a sawed-off shotgun is to make it easier to steal, which is why it’s illegal.

“There’s no reason for hunting or legitimate sporting activities,” he said. “It’s inaccurate and unpractical.”

Investigation into firearm carrier underway

The detachment had an increase in volume this past week with 594 calls for service in that period, one of which has members asking the public for assistance in locating a suspect potentially carrying a gun.

On October 21, police received a report of a male in a vehicle pointing a firearm at pedestrians on the 1700 block of 110^th Street. No one was injured in incident. The detachment is looking for a white male in his late teens or early 20s, with a thin build and lighter coloured hair, driving a black car with an unknown make or model.

The suspect is reportedly wearing a black hat and windbreaker and a bright orange hoodie. Tremblay said that even if the incident didn’t involve a legitimate firearm, it still carries consequences.

“At the end of the day, if you’re using a fake or real firearm to point at people and if one of the people believe it to be a firearm, then that’s the offence,” he said. “Regardless of whether it’s a toy or not.”

Battlefords RCMP dealt with 17 other assault investigations, including an incident on St. Laurent Drive in the early morning hours of Tuesday that left a male in his 20s with lacerations to his head. A 25 year-old woman was arrested and charged for assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats, while the male was treated for his injuries.

“The accused has been released on conditions that she can’t have contact with the male until her court date, which should be sometime in November,” Tremblay said.

Break-ins, vehicle thefts continue

There were five break and enter investigations in the latest service period, including two at residences in Battleford and off of Highway 4 North. Tremblay said they are investigating whether a break-in at a business on the 2900 block of 99^th Street, which occurred before midnight on Monday, could be connected to other business break and enters this year.

Of five calls for stolen vehicles, police are still looking for a white 2002 Chevrolet Silverado with a Saskatchewan license plate of 951-KZG. It was reportedly stolen from the 800 block of 107^th Street on October 24.

Other calls to the detachment include 16 Mental Health Act investigations, 14 traffic collisions, 37 various traffic charges and eight missing persons reports (none active). Six individuals were also charged with impaired driving offences.

Anyone with information on any incident can call Battlefords RCMP, 310-RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW