A picture taken at the time of the incident. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Charges laid after standoff, wanted suspect caught

Mar 24, 2023 | 12:54 PM

A man at the centre of a standoff with police Thursday had been on the run for about a week, and is facing a number of charges including attempted murder.

Colton Lafond, 34, was arrested shortly before midnight Friday, at a house in the city’s Crescent Heights neighbourhood.

Police had executed a search warrant to enter the residence, following attempts to negotiate a peaceful surrender and after engaging in multiple tactical strategies, without success.

Those who live in the area described hearing several loud bangs, which police confirmed were not gun shots. The smoke seen soon after was more likely to do with some sort of gas device used to get Lafond to come out.

Three other people inside the residence were detained by police and remain in custody.The standoff lasted over eight hours.

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The owner of the house, who noted a number of windows were smashed during the standoff, confided to paNOW said there were a bunch of “squatters” staying there, and did not know Lafond was among them.

In January, Lafond was one of two men charged after a standoff and robbery at Muskoday First Nation. He was granted bail on Feb. 16 on a number of conditions including a 24 hour curfew and a driving prohibition. He was enrolled in the electronic monitoring program..

Lafond’s next scheduled court date was on Mar. 23, but failed to show.

The attempted murder charge has to do with an incident from the morning of March 17, when police were dispatched to a residence in the 700 Block of Branion Drive for a report of a weapons complaint involving a male who had been shot in the head at a nearby residence.

Lafond is expected to appear in court in Prince Albert next week.

Police continue to investigate. Residents are no longer being asked to avoid the area.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell