Sheriffs hurt while stopping attempted courtroom assault

Relative of homicide victim rushed toward accused sitting with his lawyer

Two sheriffs were injured in an Edmonton youth courtroom Thursday while intervening in an attempted assault on an accused by a victim’s family member.

Alberta Justice said Friday that tensions rose during bail proceedings in a homicide case as people in the public gallery became “increasingly vocal.”

Concerned about escalation, sheriffs inside the courtroom called for additional backup to wait outside, Alberta Justice spokesman Jason van Rassel said in an emailed statement.

However, just as the backup arrived, a man in the gallery ran toward the accused, who was seated with his lawyer, he said.

Courtroom staff called the sheriffs waiting outside to come in to help.

The man, who was later determined to be a relative of the homicide victim, was taken into custody by sheriffs and turned over to Edmonton police.

Van Rassel said two of the sheriffs required medical attention for minor injuries sustained while restraining the man, including bruising and soreness.

No information about charges in relation to the arrest was available Friday, police said.

The attempted assault happened at about 2 p.m. in provincial courtroom 442, which is a room that hears youth criminal justice matters.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act prevents publication of the identities of minors charged with crimes.

“Our sheriffs at the courthouse did a commendable job — first by anticipating that the situation was escalating, and then by quickly intervening before anyone was seriously hurt,” van Rassel said.

In an update Friday afternoon, Alberta Union of Provincial Employees spokesman Tyler Bedford said both sheriffs suffered shoulder sprains and were expected to be off regular duty for a period of time.