What started out as a simple mischief call turned into much more when an Abbotsford man reportedly weaponized a string trimmer and threatened to shoot a police officer.
According to the Abbotsford Police Department media officer, Sgt. Paul Walker, the incident occurred on Saturday (July 26) at approximately 9 p.m., with law enforcement being called to the 2900 block of Tims Street for reports of a man striking a delivery vehicle with a string trimmer.
Walker explained that the suspect and the delivery driver whose vehicle had been damaged did not have a prior relationship with one another.
Upon arrival, the police noted the vehicle had suffered from minor damage and identified the suspect as a 23-year-old man. But when they tried to engage with the suspect, the officers encountered a surprising challenge.
"The individual became argumentative and claimed to be in possession of a firearm, threatening to shoot the attending officers," Walker said.
"As officers moved in to make an arrest, the suspect became combative, and one officer was elbowed in the face during the struggle to take him into custody."
Despite the initial struggle, the officers were able to take the man into custody, with no firearms found in his possession.
"Every day, our officers are called to manage volatile situations 鈥� many of which are connected to mental health challenges or drug-induced behaviour," Walker said. "AbbyPD officers are trained to recognize and respond to these complex situations with a focus on de-escalation."
The Abbotsford Police Department is recommending that the courts pursue charges of assaulting a police officer, uttering threats, mischief, and obstruction.
