Courtney Louise Shaw of Lethbridge was charged with one count of attempted murder, along with several other charges, on Friday. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 22. Police said four employees were working at Lethbridge Legal Guidance on Thursday afternoon when a woman walked in and asked to speak to a particular lawyer. Lethbridge Legal Guidance, located in the 400 block of Fifth Street S., provides free legal assistance, information and advocacy to people experiencing financial hardship. When told the attorney was not available, he asked to use the restroom, police said. After about 10 minutes, he came out and pointed a black, airsoft gun at two of the employees and threatened to kill them, according to police. Police said an employee was able to hide under a desk and call 911. The woman then allegedly produced a knife and threatened to kill the employees if they did not get the particular attorney on the phone. The woman then forced a 54-year-old woman into an office and closed the door, after which the remaining three employees fled, police said. Police cordoned off the area, evacuated nearby businesses and advised others to shelter employees. Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh spoke to reporters during a media availability held Friday. Lethbridge police have charged a 40-year-old woman with attempted murder in connection with an incident where a 54-year-old woman was held hostage. (CBC News) The police tactical team and crisis negotiators were deployed and police said they negotiated with the subject for about an hour. But due to an “imminent threat” to the hostage’s life, the tactical team entered the building, where they say they found the subject holding a knife to herself. The subject was taken into custody and police seized a knife and a black airsoft gun at the scene. She was treated at the scene and later received stitches for wounds to her arm. The victim was seriously injured, police said, after being stabbed in the neck multiple times. Emergency services took her to hospital, where she remains in stable condition. Shaw was charged with:
Attempted murder. Charged attack. Taking a hostage. Use of an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence. Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. Four counts of unlawful restraint. Four categories of threats. Three counts of assault with a weapon.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim, her family, her co-workers, every citizen in this city, all of our employees for this significant trauma that everyone experienced,” said Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, at media availability. “There’s been a huge outpouring of support from the community and I’m grateful to everyone who reached out.”
“He has such a good heart”
Brad Poetker, youth and outreach pastor at The Gate Christian Church in downtown Lethbridge, said the victim is a member of the church, which has about 80 members. The incident took place a few blocks from the church, at Lethbridge Legal Guidance, where the woman works. Members of the church reached out to the woman via Facebook, but did not hear back. “Man, it was a tough night last night,” Poettcker said. “I’ll be honest, it was heartbreaking to hear that, you know, he’s going through this.” He said church members are praying for her recovery. “He has such a good heart to highlight and sympathize with the people that, you know, he helped… [with] legal counsel there,” Poetker said. “She was always very, very willing and made it known that she was there to help without judgment.” Police said the investigation is ongoing.
