Man barricades himself in garage

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

A man who barricaded himself inside a garage and fired his rifle repeatedly through the walls and roof with police outside will not be going to jail. “Court does not see the purpose served by any custodial sentence, said High Prairie provincial court Judge Morris Golden, in his decision. Jason Stanley Leganchuk, 32, appeared in court Sept. 10 and pleaded guilty to careless use of a firearm and breach of a peace bond. Court heard details of the incident that drew a striking similarity to the beginnings of the tragedy at Mayerthorpe, Alta. that killed four police officers. Crown prosecutor Sheila Jonker told court Leganchuk went to a farm east of High Prairie Aug. 14 at around 8 p.m. and barricaded himself inside a garage. Apparently, he was angry after an argument. Police attended the scene with his uncle to try and persude an armed Leganchuk to give up peacefully. “He was yelling and screaming,” said Jonker. “They heard (a noise) and the RCMP members took cover.” The ‘noise’ was gunshots from what turned out to be a small calibre rifle. A police Emergency Response Team was called in to assist local RCMP. Leganchuk eventually surrendered at 2:20 a.m. and was taken to hospital for undisclosed self-inflicted wounds. No police officers were injured in the incident. Later, police found several bullet holes in the walls and roof of the garage. Jonker asked Judge Golden to send Leganchuk to prison and referred to the Mayerthorpe tragedy in her arguments. “He endangered himself and the RCMP,” she said. “Given the climate we have in Alberta. . .it should be dealt with it by way of custody.” Lawyer Ivan Ladouceur appeared in court to speak for Leganchuk, who is now living in Edmonton with his mother. “He suffers from bi-polar disorder and had a mental breakdown,” Ladouceur told court. As a result, Leganchuk spent one month at Alberta Hospital in treatment. Ladoueceur asked court to consider probation instead of prison time. “It was a cry for help,” he said. Leganchuk apologized for his actions saying he was sorry to family and RCMP, adding his only intention was to harm himself. Judge Golden agreed with Ladouceur that Leganchuk’s actions did not warrant time in prison. “Any time you’re invoved with guns - even if you’re not shooting at someone - there is always a danger,” said Judge Golden. “There is always a potential that can happen.” Golden placed Leganchuk on probation for two years under several strict conditions including that he keep the peace, report and reside as directed by his probation officer, take medication as prescribed, abstain from illegal drugs and alcohol, and take counselling and treatment as directed. Leganchuk was also slapped with a five-year weapons ban effective immediately.

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