2019 police standoff in Pelham nets man 18-month jail term
A local judge said he hopes a distraught man who shot in the direction of police during a Pelham standoff, in the hope the officers would shoot him, will overcome his demons.
“I know you have dark moments … I know sometimes it’s hard to go on, but it’s clear you have a lot to offer and people have a lot to offer you and you have reasons to live. Most of them are here,” Judge Fergus O’donnell told Michael Roosma as he sat with family and friends in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines.
“You’re young, you have your whole life ahead of you and you have people who care for you and want you to do well.”
Roosma was sentenced to 18 months in jail after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to several charges including possession of aweapon dangerous to the public peace stemming from an April 20, 2019, incident at a Pelham home.
The judge encouraged the 30year-old first-time offender to take advantage of any programs available while in custody.
Police were called to the home in response to a 911 call.
When officers arrived, court heard, a bullet from a semi-automatic rifle was fired from inside the home. The shot was not in the direction of the police.
Officers closed Pelham Street between Bacon Lane and Spruceside Crescent during the incident.
Following lengthy negotiations with police, Roosma surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported.
Court heard the young man struggles with mental health issues and substance abuse issues and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Defence counsel David Protomanni described his client’s behaviour that day as a “cry for help.”
“He wants nothing more to have a nice life with his family and fiancée and, once all the dust settles and he is released, (he) aspires to be a better person,” he said.