An incident allegedly involving the discharging of a firearm at an Okotoks residence was resolved peacefully.
Okotoks RCMP Cpl. Chris Hrynyk said the incident started when police received a call around 9 a.m. on Dec. 12 from a bailiff who was trying to serve an eviction notice at a residence on Stanley Avenue in Okotoks.
“An occupant of the residence that he was at fired off a firearm through the window, scaring (the bailiff) off,” said Hrynyk.
Property manager Kevin Lee said the bailiff was on scene to evict the resident. He added the gun shot from the home nearly struck an employee of his that was accompanying the bailiff.
"He almost killed one of our guys," said Lee.
"The bailiff came out and brought one of our guys to change the locks, and I guess they said come on out and he said I'm not coming out, and he fired through the window."
Okotoks RCMP responded, along with units from Turner Valley and High River detachments. An RCMP tactical team and an Okotoks canine unit were also called in.
Upon arriving at the scene, police set up containment around the area and evacuated nearby residences.
Hrynyk said the Emergency Response Team (ERT) was contacted, as well as the Police Dog Services (PDS).
The situation was resolved peacefully.
“We were able to talk the subject out of his house. He surrendered peacefully without any injury or further issues,” said Hrynyk.
Okotoks RCMP Sgt. Sukh Randhawa said he was glad the incident was resolved safely.
“No police officers and no civilians were hurt during this incident, and it was resolved very quickly,” said Randhawa.
Barron Richards, 46, of Okotoks has been charged with careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, using a firearm in the commission of an offence, and restrict, obstruct a peace office.
Richards had a bail hearing Dec. 14 in Didsbury. The results of that hearing has not been released.
