A Powell River resident is facing charges after threatening a road construction worker with a gun.
On Thursday, June 21, just prior to 10:30 am, Powell River RCMP responded to several emergency calls regarding an incident involving a firearm on the Duck Lake Bypass Road, which is currently under construction. While construction crews were working at the site, a local resident along with his wife entered the construction area driving in their personal vehicle, a Ford Explorer. The male driver and female passenger were involved in a motor vehicle incident with a grader, a large construction vehicle being operated by a male. Following the collision, the 58-year-old male driver of the Ford Explorer exited his vehicle, produced a shotgun and allegedly threatened to kill the grader operator. Members of the construction crew called police.
The suspect with the firearm also called 911 himself requesting an ambulance for his wife. He also advised the 911 dispatcher that he had indeed pulled a gun on the grader operator.
Police arrived and the male was arrested and taken into custody. His wife was examined by BC Ambulance Services on scene and transported to Powell River General Hospital where she was released a short time later. No other injuries were reported.
Police seized an unsecured shotgun and ammunition from the suspect’s vehicle. Following further investigation police seized approximately 17 firearms from the suspect’s residence as a condition of his release from custody.
The suspect was released with several conditions, including abstaining from possession of any firearm and to surrender all firearms and firearm’s licences currently in his possession. He must not have any communication with the grader operator as well as any person working on the Duck Lake Bypass Road project.
Charges of uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and careless use of a firearm are being recommended against the suspect, who is scheduled to appear in court on July 25.
The incident remains under investigation.
