Manitoba homicide suspect arrested at home of family friend, OPP says
A court date for a Manitoba man who was the focus of an intense search by RCMP last week has been moved to July.
Eric Wildman, 34, has been charged in Manitoba with three firearms offences and possession of a prohibited device without a licence – charges stemming from searches earlier this month of a vehicle he owned and his property south of Stead, Man, in the R.M. of St. Clements.
Wildman, who was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police last week at a home in Prince Edward County just outside Belleville, was wanted in Manitoba last week in connection with the mysterious disappearance of his neighbour, 40-year-old Clifford Joseph. Joseph’s body hasn’t been found but RCMP investigators believe he’s the victim of a homicide.
During the search, RCMP warned the public Wildman may be armed and dangerous and released photos of police-related clothing and equipment recovered from his vehicle along with firearms.
Wildman was scheduled to appear in Manitoba provincial court Wednesday on the firearms charges but the case has been adjourned until July 12.
He has not been charged in connection with Joseph’s disappearance but police have said he remains a suspect in the case.
Police in Ontario have obtained a Canada-wide warrant for Wildman’s arrest on one count of attempted murder with a firearm of OPP officers, one count of attempted murder with a firearm of an unknown person, and one count of possession of a restricted firearm without a licence stemming from his arrest just outside of Belleville on June 18.
“Both counts of attempted murder related to one set of actions on the part of the accused, Mr. Wildman,” said Det. Insp. Brad Collins, case manager with the OPP’s criminal investigation branch. “There was no other individual involved in this takedown. It was basically the police, Mr. Wildman, and the homeowner present at the location of his arrest on Massassauga Road in Prince Edward County.”
The OPP said six shots were fired when they executed a search warrant at the home after learning Wildman may be inside. Police said officers did not return fire.
With the help of crisis negotiators, Wildman and the homeowner eventually exited the home. Police said the homeowner was questioned and released and hasn’t been charged. Collins confirmed to CTV News Winnipeg the homeowner was a friend of Wildman’s late father.
“There’s no culpability that we can see on his part,” said Collins. “The accused, it seems, knew the homeowner from a prior family relationship and it would seem he had sought out the homeowner to obtain a discreet location, perhaps to avoid detection.”
Officers said they recovered a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and ballistic evidence from the scene. Police also said they recovered ammunition from the vehicle Wildman had been driving and seized a Chevy Equinox, the same kind of vehicle Wildman was believed to be driving in Manitoba.
Wildman has been transported back to Manitoba where he remains in custody.
The OPP said once the warrant is executed on the attempted murder offences, police and courts in both Ontario and Manitoba will work together to figure out how to manage the charges in each province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.
Regulated area for invasive box tree moth expanded to parts of the Maritimes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has added much of the Maritimes to a regulated area for an invasive species.