'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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.