On December 23, 2020, at approximately 3:50 a.m., Meadow Lake RCMP received a 911 call reporting an adult male and female being held at gun point for almost two hours by a 31-year-old male at a residence located on the 300th block of Second Street East in Meadow Lake, SK.
Meadow Lake and Loon Lake RCMP responded immediately and secured the residence and the surrounding area around the 200th block of Third Avenue East to help maintain public safety.
Initial information gathered by police on scene revealed the 31-year-old male who was the subject of the initial complaint had a history of violent offences. As the initial information reported to police indicated firearms were involved, additional RCMP resources were called to assist with the investigation: Meadow Lake Traffic Services, the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and North Battleford Police Dog Services.
Police determined the location of the 31-year-old male as being in a detached garage on the property and began negotiations for the male to surrender; however, initial efforts were unsuccessful.
A short while later, police were able to gain entry into the residence and safely removed all occupants inside the residence, which included the adult male and female, and a female youth. All were transported by police to the Meadow Lake RCMP Detachment.
Neighbouring residences and businesses within the area police secured were evacuated to help ensure their safety.
The RCMP ERT executed a warrant and arrested the 31-year-old male in the detached garage. He received medical treatment on scene and was transported to hospital in Meadow Lake for further treatment.
A search of the property resulted in the location and seizure of three firearms and ammunition.
As a result of this investigation, 31-year-old Tyson Eldridge of Meadow Lake, SK, has been charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Unsafe Storage of a firearm, Sec. 86(2)
- Unlawful Confinement, Sec. 279(2)
- Careless Use of a Firearm, 86(1)
- Tampering with the serial number of a firearm, Sec. 108(1)
- Possess weapon for dangerous purpose, Sec. 88
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearms, Sec. 92(1)
- Possess prohibited firearm with ammunition, Sec. 95(b)
- Resist arrest, Sec. 129(a)
- Nine counts of Possess firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, Sec. 117.01(1)
- Three counts of Fail to comply with release order, Sec. 145(5)(a) and
- Three counts of Fail to comply with probation order, Sec. 733.1(1).
Tyson Eldridge is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court in Meadow Lake on December 24, 2020.
The Saskatchewan RCMP would like thank local residents for their cooperation and for providing officers with the space required to conduct a safe and thorough investigation.