A Brandon Police investigation into a shooting that happened on February 26th led police to separate incidents involving some of the same individuals.
The first incident occurred several days before the shooting. Two male suspects broke into an apartment, on the 300 block of 6th street, and confronted the homeowner and several guests with a knife and handgun. The female homeowner knew the suspects, who forced her to leave with them, threatening to harm everyone else present if she didn’t comply. The suspects took the victim to another residence where they assaulted her and threatened to shoot her if she tried to leave. She was able to leave the residence the next morning.
In the early morning hours of February 26th, one of the same suspects, a 25-year-old male, returned to the apartment with a taser. The suspect once again threatened the homeowner that if she didn’t leave, he would harm her and the others in the residence. She left with the suspect but was able to break free and run away. After the escape, the 25-year-old male returned to the residence with three different male suspects. They broke into a separate apartment in the same building of the 300 block of 6th street. The suspects were all armed, one had a sawed-off shotgun, another had a machete, the third was wearing a ski mask and had a taser, and the final suspect was armed with a baton. A struggle ensued and one of the two male victims was shot before he was able to escape. Following the shooting, the suspects fled the apartment.
On March 4th, the same female victim was at another residence in Brandon with friends. The same 25-year-old suspect along with another male suspect entered the residence, carrying handguns. The suspects threatened everyone present and again forced the victim to leave. She was taken to a rural residence and the next day brought back to Brandon to another residence before finally being allowed to leave.
On March 15th, police arrested the 25-year-old male suspect and another male suspect. Upon their arrest, police located a loaded CO2 handgun. The two men have been held in custody at the Brandon Correctional Centre since the arrest and have appeared in court on several charges.
Police obtained three separate search warrants on March 18th, 1000 block of 10th street, a residence in the 600 block of 16th street, and a rural residence. Three individuals were arrested as a result of the searches.
In total, police seized cash, four rifles, one loaded shotgun, about 100 rounds of various ammo, 0.6kg of cocaine, 2kg of benzocaine, two air rifles, one CO2 handgun, and bear mace.
The 5 men arrested face the following charges.
The 25-year-old male who was involved in each incident has been charged with 29 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearms-related offences, in addition, to break and enter and commit, discharge a firearm to endanger life, forcible confinement, and assault cause bodily harm.
A 21-year-old male suspect has been charged with 13 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearm-related offences in addition to Break and Enter and Commit.
A 26-year-old male suspect has been charged with 14 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearm-related offences, in addition, to break and enter and commit.
A 22-year-old male suspect has been charged with 14 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearm-related offences, in addition, to break and enter and commit, possession for trafficking cocaine, and possession of property obtained by crime.
A 40-year-old male has been charged with 12 counts, which include a variety of weapons and firearm-related offences, and forcible confinement.
