An Innisfail man is facing serious Criminal Code charges following a tense domestic dispute standoff of more than four hours with RCMP.
The incident at a mobile home park began at about 12:45 a.m., and went on for more than four hours before ending without any major injuries to civilians or police.
During the incident, RCMP issued a media release asking people to avoid the area to allow officers to safely do their job.
Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt Ian Ihme said up to 20 police officers from four RCMP detachments, including Innisfail, Red Deer. Olds, Didsbury, as well as the Emergency Response Team, were involved in the response.
Ihme said the incident, which involved alcohol and drugs, began as a domestic assault with the 57-year-old male suspect barricading himself in his house.
He said there was a common-law partner in the home but no children.
“He poured gasoline all over the house. When our guys went in to arrest them, he pulled an axe on them,” said Ihme, adding information is still not clear of the suspect’s intentions. “Obviously he had some intention but in the end he never actually started anything on fire but there was definitely a fire risk.
“My guys backed out and contained the house and waited for the emergency response team to come, and they surrounded the house,” added Ihme. “He eventually gave up without any incident, was arrested and is currently in our cells.”
Ihme said the common-law spouse was hurt from the original assault and is receiving treatment.
He said there were no other injuries to any other civilians or police.
Ihme said charges are pending.
