Suspect assaults RCMP officer

A Kehewin resident is still at large after evading local RCMP officers over the last week, with Bonnyville Staff Sgt. Luis Gandolfi warning the public not to approach the suspect, as he is considered armed and dangerous.

Nineteen-year-old suspect Suede Brandon Batoche has been on the run since last Monday and is being charged with numerous offences, including pointing a firearm, two counts of assaulting a police officer and two counts of arson, according to an RCMP press release.

At about 9:30 p.m. on May 6, Bonnyville RCMP members responded to a phone call regarding an alleged assault causing bodily harm.

Upon arrival at a residence in Kehewin Cree Nation, the officers located the suspect in an intoxicated state in the basement of the home. It is alleged that the suspect became immediately combative and refused to comply with the officers' demands. According to the police report, the officers attempted to subdue the individual using pepper spray. The accused was able to obtain a rifle and, according to police, struck one of the officers several times with the butt end of the weapon. A taser was used but it failed to subdue the suspect. At this point, the officers drew their guns and withdrew from the basement. The suspect also exited the basement.

The accused then allegedly damaged the windshield of one of the police cruisers and fled into a field where it is believed he started a grass fire, which quickly spread to the house where these events took place, completely destroying it. According to the report, officers on scene remained at the residence to assist those escaping the flames and did not pursue the suspect any further.

Local officials urge anyone with any information on the location of Suede Brandon Batoche to contact either Bonnyville RCMP at 780-826-3358, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).