Skip to content

Gunfire erupts among campers near Spruce View

A man is in custody after an incident involving a gun at Raven Campground, west of Spruce View, early Saturday morning.Innisfail RCMP were called by three young men staying at the campground, around 2 a.m. on Saturday.

A man is in custody after an incident involving a gun at Raven Campground, west of Spruce View, early Saturday morning.

Innisfail RCMP were called by three young men staying at the campground, around 2 a.m. on Saturday.

The campground is located south of Hwy 54 on Range Road 43.

Police said the young men tried to intervene and stop an ongoing domestic assault in the campsite over from them and they were confronted by the husband, who had a .45-calibre handgun.

Police said the man pointed the weapon at the head of one of the young men and assaulted the young man.

Then the three young men fled into the woods as the handgun was fired behind them.

Innisfail RCMP, along with Sundre and Rocky Mountain House RCMP and the canine unit out of Red Deer attended the scene.

Several provincial conservation officers also assisted.

Police said the area is an isolated location and coordination was difficult, but they arrested a man sleeping in his car.

An unregistered firearm — a Colt, U.S. army issue .45-calibre handgun — was seized by police.

Police said no serious injuries were sustained during the incident, but the danger to the public was grave, as there were children present at the campground, as well as other adults.

Police said alcohol was a contributing factor to the incident.

Colin Blackman, 38, of Marsden, Saskatchewan, has been charged with eight firearms offences and two counts of assault.

Blackman has been held in custody and will appear in court on Monday morning.