OPP investigating attempted murder of officers during arrest of Manitoba man near Belleville, Ont.
An R.M. of St. Clements man arrested Friday in Ontario on a Canada-wide warrant is expected in a Manitoba court later this week on firearms-related charges.
Eric Wildman, 34, was wanted by RCMP in connection with the investigation into the homicide of his neighbour Clifford Joseph.
While he has not been charged in that case, police in Ontario announced they are investigating the attempted murder of officers during Wildman’s arrest.
It was on Massassauga Road in picturesque Prince Edward County in Ontario, where the search for Wildman ended with shots fired from inside a home after tips from the public led officers to the residence.
A resident of the area, located just outside Belleville, who spoke to CTV News but asked not to be identified said they were awoken by police at their door around 3 a.m. Friday and advised to turn off their lights and take cover in their basement.
Police said when they executed a warrant to enter the home where Wildman was believed to be located, a standoff ensued.
“Upon entry to the residence officers were met with gunfire from within the residence,” Det. Insp Brad Collins of the OPP’s criminal investigation branch said in a video posted to Twitter.
The OPP said just after 6 a.m., two men exited the home. One man was questioned and released. Wildman was taken into custody and transported back to Manitoba.
The investigation into the shots fired from the home is being handled by the OPP.
“The OPP criminal investigation branch under the direction of the major case manager, myself, are now investigating the attempted murder on OPP officers,” Collins said.
The RCMP said the man who exited the home with Wildman in Ontario has been identified but his name hasn’t been released and neither has his exact relationship with Wildman.
Investigators previously described the person as “an associate” of Wildman’s and said the indication is Wildman was specifically headed to the home where he was taken into custody.
Wildman has been charged in Manitoba with unsafe storage of a firearm and possession of a prohibited device after police found guns and police-related clothing and equipment in his vehicle in Winnipeg.
He has also been charged with two counts of failing to report the destruction of a prohibited firearm in relation to a search of his property south of Stead, Man.
The charges against Wildman were briefly addressed in Manitoba provincial court Monday. The matter has been adjourned until Wednesday morning.
Wildman had been the focus of a weeklong search in Manitoba. The vehicle he was believed to be driving was last spotted heading towards the Whiteshell and the Manitoba/Ontario border Wednesday night before his arrest 2,000 kilometres away early Friday.
The RCMP said he remains a suspect in the disappearance of Joseph but Joseph is still missing and Wildman hasn’t been charged in the case.
“I can tell you we’re still investigating it,” Supt. Michael Koppang, officer in charge of Manitoba Major Crime Services, said on Friday. “We’re investigating it like a homicide. I’m not going to be able to get into any of the specific information.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.