Man faces raft of charges in ‘hostage situation’

SASKATOON Charges of attempted murder, unlawful confinement and choking to overcome resistance have been laid against a man following what Saskatoon police called a hostage situation in the Stonebridge neighbourhood.

Officers responded Saturday around 4:30 p.m. to a home in the 200 block of Willis Crescent for what police described as “a hostage situation in which a female was being held against her will, by her boyfriend” in the residence they shared. Patrol units first responded to the scene but when the man began to threaten his girlfriend’s life as well as threaten to commit suicide afterwards, “the response intensified to include members of the crisis negotiation team and the tactical support unit,” police said in a news release issued shortly before midnight.

The girlfriend was rescued from the suite by patrol officers and tactical support team members. Using “both verbal and physical tactics, remaining members on scene were able to bring the male accused safely into custody,” police said.

There were no injuries, police noted.

In addition to the charges of attempted murder, unlawful confinement and choking to overcome resistance, the man has also been charged with assault and uttering threats to cause death. He was scheduled to appear Sunday before a justice of the peace.