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(file photo/paNOW Staff)
suspect arrested

Traffic stop turns into emergency response after Mountie hears gunshot

Dec 14, 2020 | 1:24 PM

A traffic stop in a rural area of Debden quickly turned into a multi-agency emergency response after an officer overheard a gunshot from a nearby residence.

Around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, a member from the Big River RCMP detachment pulled over a vehicle for a traffic stop, when he heard a firearm being discharged in that direction. The driver of the vehicle ran off after hearing the sound.

The officer left the vehicle and drove to the residence where he thought the sound came from and found a man standing outside, holding a gun.

Backup from Ahtahkakoop, Shellbrook, Blaine Lake, and Spiritwood detachments arrive on the scene, along with a conservation officer and members of the Saskatchewan RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT). All assisted as a perimeter was established around the home to maintain public safety.

Around three hours later, at 1 a.m. Sunday morning, ERT members arrested the suspect in the home’s backyard. Officers also located a woman at the residence and transported her to a safe location.

Police searched the home and seized four additional firearms and ammunition. Members of the Prince Albert RCMP General Investigative Section and Forensic Identification Services Units assisted with the search and investigation.

Darren Hildebrand, 40, from the R.M. of Canwood was charged with discharging a firearm while being reckless, discharge with intent, unsafe storage of firearms, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of pointing a firearm, and resisting arrest.

Hildebrand is scheduled to appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court today.

Police later located the person who fled the traffic stop at their home. They were not injured in the incident.

panews@jpbg.ca

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