Arson – Arrest: C22-12817

On January 18, 2022, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Winnipeg Police General Patrol units responded to a report of a serious domestic situation unfolding in an apartment block in the 300 block of Sutton Avenue. The caller advised that a male was at that location; he had been violent in the past, was known to abuse drugs and alcohol, and had knives. Officers were also made aware that the male may have access to firearms. Additional calls were received from neighbours who feared for the safety of the female resident.

The suspect appeared to be attempting to start a fire within the suite and was confirmed to be armed with knives and a machete. He refused repeated commands to leave the suite, and officers could not determine if the victim had managed to flee safely. At approximately 8:50 p.m., the situation was declared an Armed & Barricaded, resulting in numerous WPS units being deployed to assist, including multiple General Patrol units, K9, the Tactical Support Team, and crews from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. WFPS crews began efforts to fight the fire, and all other occupants of the block were evacuated. Winnipeg Transit was contacted to provide buses to shelter the residents.

At 9:40 p.m., WPS Critical Incident Command was activated to coordinate the police response, including Crisis Negotiators. Additional WPS resources were required to relieve officers who suffered smoke inhalation. For the safety of all occupants, officers began an evacuation of the apartment block, which required buses from Winnipeg Transit to be brought to the scene. Due to the cold, additional WPS units were called out to relieve officers at the scene.

At 1:10 a.m., officers entered the suite, deployed a Conducted Energy Weapon (Taser) and took the suspect into custody.

A 30-year-old male faces 26 charges. He remains in custody.

The Sutton Avenue incident is the third incident in the last week where WPS required the deployment of the Critical Incident Command team. On January 10, Incident Command was brought to an event in the 400 block of Anderson Avenue to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the incident and arrest a homicide suspect.

On January 12, the Critical Incident Command was also activated for an event in the 500 block of Manitoba Avenue. Again, a homicide suspect was arrested without injury.

In each case, upwards of thirty WPS officers were dispatched, including significant resources from other City of Winnipeg departments (Fire, TEMS, Paramedics, Transit) to ensure the safe resolution of these violent incidents.