Accused shooter staying in custody

Suspect was struck by police gunfire during pursuit of suspected car thief

The 34-year-old man facing seven charges, including attempted murder, in connection with a downtown shooting in Saskatoon last month will remain in custody until at least Friday.

Michael Andrew Arcand is also charged with use of a firearm while committing attempted murder, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, carrying a homemade shotgun without reasonable precaution for the safety of other persons, possession of a homemade shotgun, possession of a firearm without a licence and manufacturing a firearm.

He appeared briefly Wednesday in Saskatoon provincial court, and was ordered to return Friday for a bail hearing.

The incident took place Sept. 27, when officers responded around 3 p.m. to the 200 block of Fourth Avenue South after a report of a car theft in progress.

Police located a suspicious-looking man in possession of what appeared to be a long metal pipe but turned out to be a firearm, acting police Chief Mark Chatterbok said the day after the shooting.

Police first tried to talk the man into custody.

When that did not work, police deployed a conducted energy weapon — commonly known as a Taser — and then several beanbag rounds. Seconds later, the man fired a shot at officers, Chatterbok said. At that point, police switched to what Chatterbok called “lethal force” and returned fire.

The man was taken by ambulance to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.

He suffered a gunshot wound, possibly to the shoulder, as well as injuries consistent with dog bites. The canine unit was involved in a foot pursuit of the suspect, Chatterbok noted.

No officers were seriously injured during the incident.