PRINCE ALBERT - A preliminary hearing for a man accused of firing his gun with intent near a police officer conducting a traffic stop will continue in October.
The hearing for Darren Hildebrand, 42, of the R.M. of Canwood started on Aug. 30 and has been adjourned to Oct. 6 for final arguments in Prince Albert Provincial Court.
Hildenbrand was arrested following an incident in December 2020 where RCMP say someone shot towards an RCMP member from Big River with intent during a traffic stop south of Debden. According to RCMP, after hearing the gunshot, the person that RCMP had stopped fled on foot and the police officer immediately drove to the nearby residence where he believed the firearm was discharged.
When the officer arrived he found a man outside holding a firearm. The RCMP Emergency Response Team was called in to assist, as well as officers from multiple agencies including Spiritwood, Blaine Lake, Shellbrook and Ahtahkakoop detachments, and a Conservation Officer.
It took police three hours for police to arrest Hildenbrand in the backyard. A woman at the residence was taken to a safe location.
Hildenbrand was charged with discharging a firearm while being reckless, discharging with intent, unsafe storage of firearms, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of pointing a firearm, and resisting arrest.
When police searched the residence they found four more firearms and ammunition.
RCMP say the person who fled the traffic stop was later found, safe, at their home and didn’t have any injuries.
The charges against Hildebrand haven’t been proven in court.
