SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Two young B.C. men were arrested early Sunday after police found a loaded handgun, cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash in a car fleeing the downtown core.
Two male suspects from lower mainland B.C. were arrested early Sunday morning after police received a report that a handgun was pointed at persons outside the Raven Pub. RCMP later found a loaded handgun, cocaine and cash after pulling over a vehicle on Franklin Avenue, according to a news releae issued Monday. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo
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A 17-year-old male and a 21-year-old man were reported to have been involved in an incident where a a handgun was drawn and pointed at persons outside Raven Pub around closing time. Police were called, at which time the suspects had already taken off.
One person, who asked not to be identified, said he witnessed the incident. He described seeing a large Caucasian man about six-feet tall with a bald head reaching for his waist who repeatedly yelled, “Who wants some heat?”
According to Staff Sgt. Brad Kaeding, police were forced to conduct a rare “high-risk takedown” of the suspects in the vehicle shortly thereafter along Franklin Avenue, where the men were apprehended.
“We stand back, maintain the proper safety precautions and communicate with a loud speaker,” said Kaeding.
“In a high risk takedown, we then give (the people) precise instructions to depart the vehicle and do certain things. Once they have done those, then we approach them and secure them either with handcuffs or whatever means are necessary.”
The suspects, who are due to appear in court for a bail hearing Tuesday morning, have been charged with four offenses, including possession of a restricted firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, and carrying a weapon in a vehicle. The 17-year-old, who is just shy of his 18th birthday and therefore cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was also charged with possessing a narcotic substance. The 21-year-old's name won't be made public until he makes a court appearance, according to Kaeding.
He said he couldn't say what make or model of gun was brandished during the incident because police feel there is a remote possibility that there could be more to the investigation.
“Any one aspect of the investigation could lead to other investigations or that sort of thing,” said Kaeding. What these guys are charged with is going to probably remain constant at this point. But there could be spin-off investigations that come based on the information that is determined here.”
There is also uncertainty as to whether the suspects were affiliated with a gang or to what they were doing outside the nightclub. Police are still seeking information, said Kaeding.
Raven manager Mike Enns declined to comment about the incident when reached for comment Monday.
Kaeding said incidents involving handguns, or even long guns for that matter, are rare in Yellowknife.
