A 22-year-old local man is in custody after allegedly taking an adult female and her young daughter hostage in a Bonnyville residence.
According to an RCMP press release, Bonnyville police received a 911 call on Aug. 21, just after 8 p.m. from the male. He advised them he had been stabbed and was holding hostages, as well as that he was in possession of a .22 calibre semi-automatic weapon.
The EMS and local fire department assisted police in creating a "containment area" in the interest of public safety and the RCMP removed the hostages from the house.
According to police, after the hostages were safely removed, the male left the residence, brandishing a 14-inch butcher knife. He walked towards the officers in a "threatening manner" and challenged them to shoot him.
The suspect was subdued and taken into custody, where he was transported by ambulance to the Bonnyville Health Centre for a medical assessment. No evidence of a stabbing was found and he was returned to police.
"He disclosed numerous things to the police which were proven to be incorrect," said Const. Thomas Weiers from the Bonnyville RCMP Detachment. He also said a gun was not found.
"The swift and appropriate response of our members prevented a critical situation from turning tragic," said Staff Sgt. Dave Hammond from the RCMP's East Alberta District, in a press release. "The officers on scene dealt with the situation appropriately and made sound tactical decisions, while putting themselves at risk in order to get the hostages to safety."
The incident remains under investigation and anyone with information about it is asked to call the Bonnyville RCMP or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
