Lethbridge woman charged with attempted murder in stabbing attack on hostage
A 40-year-old Lethbridge woman faces more than 15 charges, including attempted murder, in connection with Thursday's hostage taking at the Lethbridge Legal Guidance office.
Officers were called to the office in the 400 block of 5 Street South in downtown Lethbridge early Thursday afternoon after a staff member called 911 as an armed woman was threatening employees.
Lethbridge Police Service officials say a woman had entered the office and asked to speak to a specific lawyer who was not available. The woman then asked to use the washroom and, roughly 10 minutes later, returned armed with what appeared to be a handgun as well as a knife.
The suspect allegedly pointed the gun, which was later determined to be an airsoft handgun, at two of the workers and said she would kill them if they didn't get the lawyer on the phone to speak with her.
The woman then pushed a 54-year-old worker into one of the offices and closed the door. The other three staff members fled the business.
Additional police resources, including the tactical team and crisis negotiators, arrived on scene and police spoke with the woman by phone.
After nearly an hour of negotiations, TAC team members swarmed the office due to concerns for the safety of the hostage. The TAC team encountered the suspect holding a knife to herself and they swiftly apprehended her.
The hostage, a 54-year-old woman, had been stabbed multiple times and tactical members began performing first aid.
The stabbing victim was transported by ambulance in life-threatening condition but, as of Friday afternoon, her condition has stabilized after undergoing surgery.
Courtney Louise Shaw of Lethbridge has been charged with:
- Attempted murder;
- Aggravated assault;
- Taking a hostage;
- Use of an imitation firearm while committing an offence;
- Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public;
- Four counts of unlawful confinement;
- Four counts of uttering threats; and,
- Three counts of assault with a weapon.
NEARBY WORKERS IN SHOCK
During the incident, workers from nearby businesses say it came as quite the shock.
"It's very nerve racking to have that happen very close to home," said Jocelyn Anderson, administrator for Modern Aesthetics next door to Lethbridge Legal Guidance.
"Even getting escorted and leaving the building yesterday was very scary. We were poking our heads out thinking, is it ok?"
"So we hung around for probably about half an hour," added Ava-Marie Hutton, a barista at Bread, Milk and Honey.
"Of course, you wanted to see if something would happen, but we knew this was going to be a much bigger situation than we originally thought."
During today's press announcement, Lethbridge's police chief and mayor spoke to the work done by the Lethbridge police officers on scene.
"In this case, I am thankful of the actions of our officers and I salute every employee who was involved in resolving this situation," Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh said.
"While the outcome was severe, it could've been much worse without the assistance of the brave men and women of the Lethbridge Police Service," said Mayor Blaine Hyggen.
Shaw remains in custody ahead of her July 22 court appearance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.