logo
Two people charged in Pictou County after man allegedly points loaded gun at police

Two people charged in Pictou County after man allegedly points loaded gun at police

CTV News30-05-2025

Firearms, replicas, knives and swords that were seized by police from a residence in Westville, N.S., are pictured.
Police in Pictou County, N.S., charged two people with multiple offences after a man allegedly pointed a loaded rifle at officers during a firearms investigation.
Darren Brent Snell, 41, and Sherri Lynn Hallam, 39, both of Westville, have each been charged with:
possession of weapon for dangerous purpose (nine counts)
careless use of firearm (four counts)
unauthorized possession of firearm (three counts)
unauthorized possession of prohibited weapon
resist arrest
Snell has also been charged with:
pointing a firearm
possession contrary to order (12 counts)
The suspects were safely arrested at a residence on Picken Street in Westville, N.S., on Wednesday, said an RCMP news release.
When police arrived to execute a search warrant, Snell allegedly pointed the loaded gun at the officers and tried to flee on an all-terrain vehicle. Police said Hallam tried to flee on foot.
Police seized three firearms, several replica guns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, knives and swords, said the release.
Snell is remanded into custody and awaiting a court appearance.
Hallam was released on conditions. She will appear in provincial court on July 21.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Surrey business owners facing extortion threats as police launch new investigative team
Surrey business owners facing extortion threats as police launch new investigative team

CTV News

time18 minutes ago

  • CTV News

Surrey business owners facing extortion threats as police launch new investigative team

Satish Kumar plays a chilling voicemail he recently received that demanded millions of dollars and threated his family. (CTV News) A Surrey business owner says his life and family are being threatened as part of a growing wave of extortion targeting members of the city's South Asian business community. Satish Kumar recently received a chilling voicemail demanding millions of dollars. "If you don't give $2 million, we're going to shoot your family,' the message said. Earlier this month, Kumar's banquet hall in Surrey was riddled with bullets, damage that cost him tens of thousands of dollars to repair. He says he's now paying for private security to protect himself and his family. "It's very scary ... but you have to face the problem. Otherwise, what are you going to do?" Kumar said. On Wednesday, Satwinder Sharma of Abbotsford was shot and killed at his business in Surrey's Fleetwood neighbourhood. Police have not confirmed whether that killing is related to the extortion cases. So far this year, Surrey police have received 10 reports linked to extortion, but officers believe the true number is much higher. "This is traditionally underreported. That's why we're asking community members to come forward," said Sgt. Tige Pollock of the Surrey Police Service. No arrests have been made in connection with the extortion complaints, but police are hoping that will change with the formation of a new Extortion Investigations Team, acknowledging that the crimes can pose jurisdictional challenges. 'There have been criminal organizations outside of Canada that have engaged in these acts," Pollock said. BC Conservative MLA Steve Kooner says he's been hearing from business owners who have already paid extortion demands, losing tens of thousands of dollars. 'There are concerns that some may have ties to foreign gangs," Kooner said. He is pressing the province to step up its response and work with the federal government to address the growing issue. 'More needs to be done by the provincial government," Kooner added. 'The B.C. provincial government should be talking to these foreign countries and seeing if they can find a solution.' In a statement, B.C.'s Public Safety Ministry says the province spends more than $100 million a year on programs targeting guns, gangs and organized crime. Despite the threats, Kumar says he is not backing down. This Sunday, he's organizing a public forum, inviting business owners, police, and government leaders. He expects around 1,000 people to attend. "Awaken the public. Get together and face this extortion problem," he said. The Surrey Police Service is urging anyone who receives an extortion threat to call 911.

‘Like taking my life in my hands': northeast seniors home residents call for crosswalk
‘Like taking my life in my hands': northeast seniors home residents call for crosswalk

CTV News

time18 minutes ago

  • CTV News

‘Like taking my life in my hands': northeast seniors home residents call for crosswalk

About two dozen residents of Silvera Vista seniors home gathered by the roadside Friday waving hand-made placards, demanding a crosswalk a new bus stop location, and traffic lights. Residents of a northeast Calgary seniors home say crossing a nearby road nearby feels so dangerous they had to organize a protest to get their concerns across to the city. There's no crosswalk at the intersection and they say large trucks drive at high speeds. About two dozen residents of Silvera Vista seniors home gathered by the roadside Friday waving hand-made placards, demanding a crosswalk a new bus stop location, and traffic lights. No signs 39th Avenue and 26 Street N.E. are unmarked. No matter which direction residents want to cross, there aren't any signs for traffic to slow down. 'I organized this rally for the safety of these people trying to cross four lanes of traffic,' said Warren Freeborn, resident and rally organizer. He says residents using walkers and mobility scooters especially struggle to catch the bus without a stop along 39 Avenue. They have to walk down to 37 Avenue, following a route with no sidewalk that forces some of them into the road. 'Crossing this road was like taking my life in my hands,' said Karla Wallington, who opted for a motorized mobility scooter out of concern for crossing the nearby intersection. She later added, 'I've been almost hit at least twice.' Debra Jones says she feels shuffled aside. 'We're all at risk and I want the city to hear us. We count too,' she said. Ward 10 Councillor Andre Chabot met with residents a year and a half ago, and told CTV News that the nearby mosque and school have made similar requests for the area. City of Calgary responds In an e-mailed statement to CTV News The City of Calgary responded with the following statement: 'As part of our standard practice, (our) mobility (department) will be performing a safety and engineering assessment from a corridor perspective, including working with Calgary Transit on reviewing routes and stop locations along 26th Street and 39th Avenue NE. 'This approach will look at more holistic way to address the residents' concerns, and the safety needs of the community.' The city did not provide a timeline. Freeborn says he was given a rough estimate of the city's costs to make the changes to the bus route and bus stop at $1.4 million. 'Is that a price they put on a life?' he asked. The City of Calgary also said: 'Over the past 10 years, The City of Calgary has received five requests through 311 for crosswalks or traffic controls to be installed at locations within 100 metres of 39th Avenue and 26th Street NE. 'There have been two additional similar 311 requests from Silvera For Seniors - Vista Apartments at 2622 39th Avenue N.E. There have been two recorded pedestrian-involved collisions in the past decade and neither resulted in injuries that required hospitalization." The city says the first step for any request for transit or mobility improvements is to reach out to 311. 'The other method is through the Calgary Transit website. On the 'Contact Us' page on there is a section to provide feedback online, and from there they can submit a Bus Stop Service Request. 'In both cases, the feedback will be directed through the appropriate channels to the right person for review.' -30-

Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community
Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community

CBC

time26 minutes ago

  • CBC

Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community

Social Sharing A series of reports of extortion from people and businesses in the South Asian community have prompted a wider investigation by police in Surrey, B.C. The Surrey Police Service said in a statement that it is working with provincial and national RCMP to help in their investigations, as numerous Canadian police agencies have reported similar crimes. Police said they've had 10 complaints over the last six months of people getting letters, phone calls or social media messages demanding money under threats of violence. The service said it has launched its own extortion investigations team and will be attending a public safety forum on Sunday in the city organized by members of the South Asian community. It's to be held at Reflections banquet hall on 152A Street at 2 p.m. Forum organizer Satish Kumar, the president of the city's Lakshmi Narayan Mandir temple, is also announcing a $100,000 reward to encourage the community to help bring an end to the extortion and violence. WATCH | Surrey police investigating after shootings targeted at businesses: Surrey police investigating possible extortion attempt after shootings targeted at businesses 2 days ago Duration 2:09 Police in Surrey say they are investigating whether two shootings targeting businesses in the city are linked to possible extortion attempts. As Sohrab Sandhu reports, it comes just months after several incidents across the country, which led to the formation of a national RCMP task force. "I'm requesting the community [to] come forward," he told CBC News. "Don't be scared of these guys, right? They don't want to kill you. They want only money from you guys." Kumar said two recent shootings at his businesses are connected to ongoing extortion attempts targeting the South Asian community. He said he received video voicemails on May 28 from numbers listed as being from Italy and New Zealand that demanded $2 million. He said he refused to pay and reported it to police at the time, but officials took no action. In the early hours of June 7, shots were fired at Reflections banquet hall, which he owns, he said. Shots were fired, he said, at another business he's connected to, Hub Insurance, on Tuesday. No one was injured in the shootings at the businesses. Extortion threats emerged last year and violence that followed included arsons and shootings, which police in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. said were linked to organized crime in the Indian state of Punjab. Surrey police Chief Norm Lipinski said it's important to tackle the extortion trend head-on, but it's equally important to collaborate with victims and the broader community to deal with it together. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat, with the Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, said they are concerned there may be more victims who have complied with demands and haven't gone to police.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store