'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
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.