MAN WAS ‘CLOSE’ TO BEING SHOT

ASHFORD MAN SENTENCED FOR INCIDENT AT BANK

An Ashford was almost shot dead by Police in Canada after driving his SUV through the doors of a bank.

Last week, Patrick Shannon (30) received a suspended sentence with 18 months of probation in relation to the incident on January 2. Mr Shannon, a managing partner of Shannon’s Pub and Grill in Regina, had been facing seven charges in relation to incidents, but pleaded guilty at Regina Provincial Court to three: mischief and two counts of assaulting a police officer.

Crown prosecutor Kim Jones told the court two police officers responded to a complaint in the early hours of January 2 about a black SUV smashing through the front doors of the Scotiabank on 13th Avenue.

The SUV was located nearby and the two officers cautiously approached it. One of the police men spotted what looked to be a firearm inside the vehicle. Mr Shannon was pulled from the SUV and the officers attempted to arrest him, but found Mr Shannon resisting with ‘extraordinary strength.’

The officers tried a variety of ways to get him under control to no avail but finally managed to subdue him after back-up arrived. One of the officers told the court just how close he came to shooting Mr Shannon.

‘I can honestly say I was very close to using my firearm to stop Mr Shannon. I was legitimately worried if he was able to get onto his feet he would then have tried to kill my partner and I. He is lucky to be alive right now.’

It later turned out the pistol in the SUV was actually a pellet gun. It eventually required up to seven or eight men to get Mr Shannon under control.

Mr Jones said mental health problems lay at the heart of Mr Shannon’s behaviour that night. Regina Provincial Court Judge Pat Reis agreed to impose an 18-month probation period. The sentence contains conditions intended to see Mr Shannon get help for mental health issues.