Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sept 03/01) - The mother of a man charged with attempted murder in connection to an assault with an axe says the RCMP is not working hard enough to find her son.

Police continue to look for Ronald Roy Villebrun, scouring a 13-square kilometre area, as well as checking out leads in Yellowknife and Fort Smith, but have scaled back the search and are now longer using an infrared-equipped helicopter.

"I know if he got through the roadblock he would have called us," said Villebrun's mother Gloria.

"Police should be looking harder because of his medical situation."

Villebrun, a 36-year-old man from Fort Smith, who requires medication for a brain injury is thought to have been in the bush for six days.

The woman who was attacked on Aug. 26 in Yellowknife, now has a six-inch scar stitched up above her ear where she said an axe blade swiped down, cutting away much of her hair.

"I saw the axe and I thought, 'it's over'," she told News/North.

The woman said she cradled her head in her arms and remembers seeing the blade come down on her. She then remembered lying on the pavement watching a puddle of blood pool beside her.

Finally, she heard the wailing sounds of sirens.

She went to the hospital where she was treated and released later the same day.

Police said they are searching for a man some say is a skilled hunter and outdoorsman and knows the area well.

Villebrun is said to have been living off and on between Yellowknife and Fort Smith for several years.

Sources told News/North he had guns in his vehicle before he fled police. The RCMP seized his truck on Aug. 26, but did not seize any weapons.

"I have a lot of really good people out there and we don't know what he's got," said Staff Sgt. Terry Scott.

Scott said he does not believe Villebrun could have gone far in the area covered by bush and water.

"He would have to get some means to travel and he does not have the means," he said. "We have reason to believe he is still out in the bush, it is just common sense."

Even so, police have supplied airports and travel venues with photos of Villebrun.

Villebrun suffered a head injury in 1990 from a fight outside the Landing Lounge in Fort Smith. His mother said it left him in a state in which he cannot control his emotions.

"When you have a brain injury it is never the same, but we don't want to blame it on that," she said. "Sure, Ronald did wrong and he will pay."

Dissatisfied with the search, Villebrun's parents went in a plane and searched the area themselves. They have been in Yellowknife since the day of the incident and worry Villebrun's life may be in danger without his medicine.

"He can't control his emotions," Gloria Villebrun said.

Villebrun was wearing a red jacket, blue jeans and running shoes last time he was seen. He is of native ancestry, about 6'2'' tall and weighs about 200 pounds.

Police are asking drivers to take care along Highway 3 due to increased vehicle and foot activity.