A 40-year-0ld Canwood man is facing numerous firearms-related charges following an incident over the weekend.
On Saturday December 12, 2020, at approximately 9:45 p.m., an officer from the Big River RCMP Detachment was conducting a traffic stop on a rural road south of Debden, Saskatchewan. The officer heard what he believed to be a firearm being discharged in the direction of the traffic stop from a nearby residence. The subject of the traffic stop fled on foot after hearing the sound.
The officer immediately drove to the residence where he believed the firearm was discharged and located an adult male standing outside holding a firearm.
Officers from Ahtahkakoop, Shellbrook, Blaine Lake and Spiritwood RCMP Detachments, a Conservation Officer from the Provincial Ministry of Environment, and the Saskatchewan RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) were called to assist in setting a perimeter to secure the residence and help to maintain public safety.
At approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, December 13, the male was located in the backyard of the residence by members of ERT and was taken safely into police custody. An adult female was also present at the residence at the time of the incident and was transported to a safe location.
A search of the residence incidental to the adult male’s arrest resulted in the seizure of four additional firearms and ammunition.
The Prince Albert RCMP General Investigation Section and Forensic Identification Services Units also assisted with the investigation.
40-year-old Darren Hildebrand of the RM of Canwood, SK, has been charged with the following:
- Discharge firearm while being reckless, Sec. 244.2(3) of the Criminal Code (CC);
- Discharge with intent, Sec. 244 CC;
- Unsafe storage of firearms, Sec. 86(2) CC;
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, Sec. 88(2) CC;
- Two counts, pointing a firearm, Sec. 87(2) CC; and
- Resist arrest, Sec. 129 CC.
Darren Hildebrand is scheduled to make his first appearance in Prince Albert Provincial Court on December 14, 2020.
The subject of the traffic stop was later located safely at their home and did not report any injuries as a result of this incident.