Dozens more charges laid against man accused of shooting at police during standoff
Michael Christopher Sabattis accused of attempting to murder 15 RCMP officers at Bilijk First Nation
Police have laid dozens of new charges against a 34-year-old man who fired at police during a standoff in Bilijk First Nation in April.
Michael Christopher Sabattis was hit with 34 charges on Friday, 15 of which are for attempting to murder Mounties who responded on April 15 to a home in the community, also known as Kingsclear First Nation, which is about 20 kilometres west of Fredericton.
Another 15 charges allege Sabattis discharged a firearm with intent to wound, maim or disfigure those same Mounties.
Sabattis is also charged with two counts of uttering threats to police, assaulting Tammy Sabattis, and committing aggravated assault against Brian Sabattis, all on the same day.
An earlier five-count charge sheet, which alleged one of each of those charges, was withdrawn.
A day after the April 15 incident, New Brunswick RCMP released a statement saying officers went to an address on Tomahawk Avenue at 12:35 p.m. after receiving a report of an assault.
On arrival, the officers found a man outside, who threatened police before he barricaded himself inside the house with a weapon.
The news release said "a short time later" he began firing dozens of gunshots at police through the windows of the home.
Police said a member of the RCMP emergency response team was struck in the head by a bullet but, protected by a ballistics helmet, did not suffer serious injuries.
Seven RCMP vehicles were also struck and sustained damage.
Police said the shooter refused to surrender, prompting the use of tear gas.
A man and woman exited the home and were both arrested, though the woman was later released, police said.
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