Man takes gun to school

A Penticton man who took refuge in a school while in possession of a loaded shotgun was found guilty of three of four charges Friday.

Following a trial earlier this year, Yvon Omer Martel, 59, was found guilty of break and enter, uttering threats and unlawfully discharging a firearm early the morning of Dec. 11, 2016.

Martel got into a heated argument with his spouse that escalated, resulting in the man blasting their television and phone with a shotgun.

Martel, who left the home, was found shortly after 5 a.m. by a security guard at Ecole Entre Lac on Nelson Avenue.

Martel was sitting beside a Christmas tree and smoking a cigarette. A loaded shotgun was later located by police in the hallway not far from where he was sitting.

When police arrived, Martel was cooperative and followed all orders.

He was acquitted of the fourth charge of using a firearm to commit an indictable offence, as it was alleged he used the gun to destroy a lock and gain entry to the school.

“There is insufficient evidence that the lock was damaged because of a shotgun,” Justice Meg Shaw said. “It is speculation. “It likely did happen, but without an expert witness, the Crown is unable to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Appearing on video from the Okanagan Correctional Centre, Martel sat motionless and did not speak.

He has a prior criminal record for assault, break and enter and breach of probation.

A date for sentencing will be set this week.