The bizarre series of events which followed a Friday morning crash on the 16 Avenue off-ramp from southbound Deerfoot Trail have resulted in a number of charges against a 24-year-old man.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., officers observed a traffic infraction near the 32 Ave. overpass at Deerfoot Trail and attempted to pull over the driver of a Chrysler 300. The driver initially stopped, but drove away when officers approached the vehicle on foot. Police did not pursue the vehicle.

The Chrysler 300 was spotted speeding in the shoulder of southbound Deerfoot Trail when the driver attempted to exit onto 16 Ave. The suspect vehicle clipped the back end of a pickup truck and smashed into a minivan carrying a mother and her two small children. The impact of the collision sent the minivan into another vehicle.

Witnesses stopped and attempted to assist the minivan and Chrysler 300 occupant. When the Good Samaritans approached the suspect vehicle, the driver allegedly grabbed a handgun, threw the weapon into the ditch and ran from the scene.

One of the witnesses located the handgun and placed it in his truck. The suspect returned to the crash scene, entered the man’s truck, retrieved the firearm and tossed it into Nose Creek.

Two witnesses caught the suspect and held him until officers arrived.

Police arrested 24-year-old Christian Mukele, of Calgary, at the scene.

Mukele face charges of:

  • Firearm: In Motor Vehicle
  • Firearm: Unauthorized Possession
  • Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm: With Ammunition
  • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
  • Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime
  • Flight from a Peace Officer
  • Dangerous Driving
  • Hit and Run
  • Firearm or Weapon: Possession Contrary to Prohibition Order
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine
  • Drive while Unauthorized
  • Illegal Window Tint/Glazing

The Calgary Fire Department Aquatic Team located the gun in the creek and the weapon is being tested by the CPS Forensics Unit.

The occupants of the minivan were transported to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Mukele is scheduled to appear in court on Monday,