Family of 6 mistakenly targeted in Calgary home invasion
A Calgary family of six is recovering after being terrorized during an armed home invasion that targeted the wrong residence.
The family was at their home about noon on Sunday in the southeast community of McKenzie Towne when two men armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a conducted energy weapon suddenly burst inside demanding money, drugs and jewelry, police said in a release.
The men tied up two adults with zip ties and duct tape and confined four children in a separate room. They then used the conducted energy weapon on the adults who were tied up while threatening their lives and threatening to harm the children.
One of the tied up adults was then able to dial 911 on their cell phone and left the line open so dispatchers could hear what was happening.
Police arrived soon after and two men were arrested. The two adults were treated by EMS and none of the children were harmed.
"What normally would have been an uneventful Sunday afternoon turned out to be a traumatizing experience for an innocent family," said Staff Sgt. Krista Ryan.
"Thanks to the quick thinking of one of the victims, police were able to quickly intervene and resolve a dangerous situation that could have turned out worse. The family is now safe and have been put in touch with the necessary supports and resources to help them recover from this horrific incident."
Police seized a loaded GSG-16 .22 calibre semi-automatic riffle and a handheld Taser.
Tyler Justin Kowal, 34, of Winnipeg, and Jessie Leslie Lunan, 32, of Surrey, B.C., are charged with one count each of:
- Break-and-enter;
- Wearing a disguise to commit an indictable offence;
- Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm;
- Possession of a dangerous weapon;
- Pointing a firearm;
- Possession of a loaded prohibited weapon;
- Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order, and;
- Two counts of possession of unauthorized weapons.
Kowal was also wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for an unrelated offence.
Both are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.