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Witness says two men tried to enter care home, said they would ‘kill us all’

Sep 30, 2019 | 3:59 PM

Prince Albert Police have charged two men with uttering threats following an incident Sunday morning outside the Herb Bassett special care home.

According to a press release, police were called to the area around 7:30 a.m. for a report of two men outside the residence with an edged weapon. Officers later took two suspects into custody without incident and located a kitchen knife in the nearby area.

A source close to the incident told paNOW the two men tried unsuccessfully to get inside.

“They tried breaking the glass on the door then tried coming through the staff entrance meanwhile yelling they were going to kill us all and making gestures of slashing our necks with the machete,” she said.

Ramsay Courtney Halkett, 34, and Ralph Henderson, 37, appeared at Prince Albert Provincial Court Monday morning in relation to the incident. Both matters were adjourned to Tuesday morning for bail hearings. Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has issued a statement.

“Sunday morning, staff at the Herb Bassett Home contacted security based at the Victoria Hospital campus which includes the Herb Bassett Home, and the Prince Albert Police Service for assistance.”

The statement went on to stress the Health Authority appreciated the quick response from staff, as well as the support from the Prince Albert Police Service and security.

“SHA staff followed policies and protocols which ensured the safety of the residents and staff,” the statement read.

The incident at Herb Bassett was not the first time Sunday police had been called to the area. Just after 2 a.m., police were dispatched to the parking lot of the Victoria Hospital for a complaint of a male with an edged weapon. One officer on scene talked with the male and was able to successfully convince him to drop the weapon.

No one was injured and the man was safely taken into custody for further care and treatment. No charges are expected to be laid. A spokesperson for the police service said the two incidents were not related.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

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