Update: Suspect arrested – Kingston Police seeking male believed to be in possession of a firearm

UPDATE (Friday, Jun. 11, 2021):

Kingston Police have arrested the suspect involved in a north end shooting last week that resulted in a community caution recommending residents in Rideau Heights remain indoors.

The investigation into the incident began on Saturday, Jun. 5, 2021. That morning, an altercation took place in the area of Montreal Street and Highway 401 that involved the accused man firing shots from a handgun. This resulted in a local 40-year-old victim sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, however, those injuries were the result of other assaultive behaviour and “not related to a gunshot wound,” Kingston Police said in a press release on Friday, Jun. 11, 2021.

After that incident, the suspect drove a silver Ford Fusion into a blue Cadillac CTS, which had been attempting to leave the area at the time. The suspect then followed the Cadillac southbound on Montreal Street before crashing into a Kingston Transit bus shelter south of Sheppard Street. Witnesses observed the suspect – the lone occupant of the vehicle – get out of the driver’s seat and flee the scene on foot.

Police say that extensive investigation and the assistance of the public led to officers being able to identify the suspect. Subsequently, on Thursday, Jun. 10, 2021, Kingston Police located the accused man – a passenger in a motor vehicle at the time – travelling on Sir John A Macdonald Boulevard near Norman Rogers Drive.

“The Kingston Police Emergency Response Unit conducted a high risk traffic stop on the vehicle and the accused was subsequently arrested. The accused was not found in possession of the handgun at the time of his arrest and investigators are continuing to investigate the location of the firearm in question,” Kingston Police said.

According to witnesses, the high risk traffic stop involved a flashbang, and a number of officers surrounding the vehicle in question with riffles drawn.

The suspect was taken to Kingston Police Headquarters where he was subsequently searched and found to be in possession of a quantity of substances believed to be crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as a large sum of Canadian currency. Further investigation also found the suspect was a prohibited driver, and also prohibited for possessing firearms.

As a result, William Bryant, 34, of Kingston was charged with:

• Assault with a weapon
• Discharging a firearm while being reckless to the life and safety of another person
• Possession of a weapon for committing an offence
• Possession of a restricted firearm without holding licence and registration
• Four counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited
• Two counts of possession of a Schedule 1 drug for the purpose of trafficking
• Dangerous operation of a conveyance (vehicle)
• Operation of a conveyance while prohibited
• Leaving the scene of an accident while failing to stop and provide name
• Two counts of breach of probation

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who has any additional information is asked to contact Detective Jason Alblas of the Major Crime Unit at 613-549-4660 ext. 6267 or via email at [email protected].

UPDATE (Tuesday, June 8, 2021):

A report from Kingston Police provided more details on the incident that occurred on June 5 on Montreal Street near Highway 401.

Kingston Police are still seeking information from the public following a shooting that occurred on the morning of Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Kingston’s north end. Police were originally dispatched at approximately 8:45 a.m. to the area of Montreal St and Highway 401, where an altercation is suspected to have occurred and involving a handgun. A male described as Caucasian, in his 20s, wearing a white shirt and blue-coloured pants had been seen fleeing from the area, according to police.

A 40-year-old local male victim received non-life-threatening injuries from other assaultive behaviour not related to a gunshot wound. Police say it does appear as though a firearm was discharged, but there is no indication of anyone being struck.

Following the incident a silver 2006 Ford Fusion with licence plate #CSLA821 collided with a bus shelter in the area of Montreal Street and Sheppard Street. Witnesses who had observed the collision involving the silver Ford Fusion indicated that a lone male fled from the vehicle thru yards from Montreal Street towards Joyce Street, according to the report. Police also located a 2005 black Cadillac CTS with licence plate #BPML653 in a parking lot in the area of Guthrie Drive, which had been involved in the original incident on Montreal Street.

To aid in the investigation, Kingston Police is asking for area residents to check any video footage they may have from home security cameras or doorbell video from between 8:40 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2021. This video footage may show the silver Ford Fusion or black Cadillac or any individuals during that period of time who were walking or running in the area and may be associated to the incident. The area of coverage that police would be most interested in would be along Montreal Street between Highway 401 and Esdon Street in addition to Sheppard Street, Joyce Street, Guthrie Drive, and Virginia Street.

Individuals who may have been driving through the area during that time period with dash cam video footage are also asked to contact police. Area residents who may have had strange door knocks during that time period or who may have witnessed individuals hopping fences or hiding in back yards are also encouraged to contact police. 

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who has any additional information, is asked to please contact Detective Jason Alblas of the Major Crime Unit at 613-549-4660 ext. 6267 or via email at [email protected].

You can also provide tips anonymously by calling the Kingston Police general number 613-549-4660 ext. 0 and asking to remain anonymous.

UPDATE: Kingston Police have lifted the community caution for the Rideau Heights area as of 1:21 p.m. The suspect male is still unaccounted for and the investigation is ongoing, according to police. Police believe that the incident was a targeted attack, not random or indiscriminate. Anyone with non-emergency information is still asked to call 613-549-4660.

ORIGINAL:

Kingston Police are asking residents in the Rideau Heights area to shelter in place and be conscious of an ongoing police investigation to identify, locate and apprehend a male who is believed to have discharged a firearm in the commission of an offence and subsequently fled the area on foot.

“While this is an active and ongoing investigation the initial information is that at approximately 8:45 a.m. Kingston Police were originally dispatched to the area of Montreal St and Hwy 401, where an altercation is suspected to have occurred and involved the use of a pistol between parties,” said Kingston Police in a press release. According to police, the male – who is described as Caucasian, in his 20s, wearing a white shirt and blue-coloured pants – fled the area and is believed to still be in possession of a handgun.

“Kingston Police have cordoned off the Rideau Heights area from Hwy 401 to the north, Montreal St to the east, John Counter Blvd to the south and Division St to the west in search of this male. Both the Canine Unit and Emergency Response Unit are involved. Streets where this male may have fled down include Virginia St, Compton St,” police confirmed.

Kingston Police say that until further information is obtained, they are assuming this male to be armed and dangerous. Community members are being asked to avoid the area and any nearby residents are asked to secure their doors and windows until further updates can be provided. “If this male is believed to be seen please do not approach him and immediately call Kingston Police at 9-1-1 with any further descriptors, location and last known direction,” said police.

Non-emergent tips or any information that could lead to this male’s location and arrest can also be provided anonymously by calling the Kingston Police general number 613-549-4660 ext. 0, and ask to remain anonymous. Kingston Police say they will continue to update the community as new information comes forward and the investigation progresses.