A Manitoba man is facing charges after allegedly firing shots toward the vehicles of four individuals suspected of stealing from his property.
Pembina Valley RCMP said officers responded to a report of a theft in progress at a rural property in the Rural Municipality of Dufferin on Aug. 15, according to an Aug. 18 news release.
Officers conducted an investigation and determined that four suspects had visited the private rural property earlier the same day and then returned that evening in two vehicles, which police said were stolen from Watrous, Sask.
The 66-year-old property owner was alerted by a motion camera, police say, and went outside to see “suspects transferring fuel from a portable container into one of the stolen vehicles.
“The property owner, who had a firearm, confronted the suspects,” the RCMP said. “During this confrontation, the property owner fired shots towards the vehicles.”
Three suspects remained at the scene until officers arrived and arrested them, while officers found various items in the back of a truck believed to be stolen from the property. The fourth suspect fled the scene in the other vehicle, which RCMP officers located on Aug. 16 in a canola field several kilometres away.
RCMP also arrested the property owner at the scene and charged him with careless use of a firearm, using a firearm in the commission of an offence, and recklessly discharging a firearm. The man, who was not named, was released on an undertaking and will make his first court appearance on Nov. 3 in Morden, Man.
Two men and one woman—aged 29 to 47—are facing multiple charges including theft, mischief and trespassing. The 29-year-old man is also facing a charge of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Self-Defence Rights
Under Section 34 of the Criminal Code, a person may use force to defend themselves or another person, provided the act is “reasonable in the circumstances.” Courts consider the circumstances surrounding the person, the other parties involved, and the act itself when determining whether the response was reasonable.
In an email to The Epoch Times, the RCMP said Canadians have the right to protect themselves and their property, but any force used must be reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances.
“Generally speaking, property owners should prioritize their own safety during these situations and call police rather than confront intruders themselves,” an RCMP spokesperson said.
“We recognize that having someone enter your property and steal belongings is a serious criminal offence that can have a lasting impact. However, intervening directly can create significant risks to everyone involved,” the spokesperson added.
Manitoba Premier Responds
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was asked about the charges against the property owner during an unrelated news conference in Winnipeg on Aug. 18.
“I’ve got to go with the law enforcement on this one. We can’t have people being judge, jury, and potentially executioner, allegedly,” Kinew told reporters.
“Though I understand the frustration with crime, absolutely, support law enforcement. Let’s not make their job more difficult by making the reaction more complicated.”
A reporter also asked the premier about an Opposition MLA’s proposal to amend the Criminal Code to clarify self-defence rights in Manitoba and whether the incident underscored the issue.
Kinew said it was important to support front-line officials, since they have “a heck of a job to do as it is” without firearms present.
“I understand the frustration people have, but I think we do have to [let] law enforcement do their job… let the justice system do its job,” he continued. “I’ve certainly been very outspoken about … bail reform, and we do need to address things out there. But, at the same time, I just want to support law enforcement on this one.”
