'Next thing you know, I heard a bang': Shooting and stabbing investigation leads to charges for Chatham man
A 43-year-old Chatham man is facing several charges after reports of a stabbing and shots fired in Chatham.
Chatham-Kent police say they received reports of a person who had been stabbed Monday night. Officers attended the residence on Stanley Avenue.
Police located the victim and learned the incident happened the day before. Officers also received information that a firearm was discharged.
Police canvassed the area and several neighbours heard a loud bang.
“I was sitting on my porch drinking my beer and just minding my own business and that, next thing you know, I heard a bang! A bang went off, like a bang, right?” said neighbour Jerry Scott.
He thought he heard a firecracker go off before police arrived.
“And then the side, there's two guys come running out of the apartment where the guys lives down the tracks yelling and screaming that the guy's got a gun saying he’s going to shoot everybody,” Scott said.
Officers attended the accused residence and after approximately about one hour of negotiating, he surrendered himself to police.
Search incident to arrest, officers say they found several rounds of ammunition on him and methamphetamine.
Police obtained a search warrant for the residence, where they seized a Taser and a sawed-off rifle.
“Any kind of incident like this could happen anywhere here in Chatham-Kent. So, again, you know, we're urging anyone if you see or hear anything suspicious call police immediately,” said Const. Renee Cowell.
Cowell added that the use of drone technology with speakers and a microphone allowed investigators to find a quick resolution.
“This incident certainly does cause us concern and that a firearm may have been involved. Again, thankfully, officers were quick to respond contain the area for public safety and with the assistance of the drone, we were able to safely bring this incident to a safe resolution,” she said.
Chatham councillor Michael Bondy said residents have been voicing concerns recently over neighbourhood safety.
“It's unfortunate. I hope it's an isolated incident. I hope this is not a trend,” he said. “We don't see a lot of this in Chatham, we don't see a lot of violent crime like at all and you know this with a firearm being discharged, sawed-off shotgun I understand, those are Chicago things. Those are not Chatham things and so let's not bring them to Chatham.
Bondy said mental health and drug problems are an issue citywide. He hopes an increased police presence can deliver a sense of ease.
“Hopefully that does have an effect,” he said. “I don't know if it does, but it certainly can't hurt.”
The Chatham man was charged with four counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order and possession of a Schedule 1 substance.
The accused was also wanted by the Chatham-Kent Police Service for failing to attend court. He has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.