Charges laid after man pulls handgun at Alberta rodeo: RCMP

An RCMP cruiser is seen in an undated file photo. (Jeremy Thompson/CTV News Edmonton)

A man is facing charges after allegedly pulling out a handgun at a northern Alberta rodeo.

Mounties were conducting patrols at the Grande Prairie Stompede at 10:15 p.m. on May 29 when they were approached by a person who said a man had pointed a gun at him.

Police attempted to talk to the man, but he ran.

Officers chased him on foot and arrested him.

During the arrest they recovered a 9mm Norinco handgun.

The gun’s serial number had been deliberately removed, according to RCMP, and the magazine contained 14 rounds of ammunition.

A 30-year-old Grande Prairie man has been charged with:

• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
• carrying a concealed weapon;
• unauthorized possession of a restricted weapon;
• possession of a prohibited weapon;
• possession of a restricted weapon without a licence;
• possession of a weapon obtained by crime; and
• possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number.

“It is deeply troubling to see a loaded firearm produced in a crowded public setting,” Const. Kenji Welch of the Clairmont RCMP said in a news release.

“We remain committed to responding swiftly to these threats and ensuring that community events like the Stompede remain safe for everyone.”

The man was brought before a justice of the peace and released on conditions to appear in court in Grande Prairie on June 22.