The Estevan Police Service has laid charges on a 40-year-old Estevan man for his role in a shooting incident which took place Monday night.

On April 8, at approximately 8:23 p.m., the Estevan Police Service received a report that an individual had been shot in the 1600 block of 3rd Street in Estevan and that the armed male suspect had fled the scene. 

Immediate response to the occurrence included the deployment of EPS patrol members, the Joint Tactical Support Team, local RCMP detachment members, International Border Enforcement Team members, the Regina Police Service Air Unit, and members of Estevan Fire and Rescue and Estevan Emergency Medical Services.

While containing the scene and searching for the suspect, police determined that he had barricaded himself in a residence in the 1700 block of 3rd Street, where he refused to communicate or comply with directions from members to surrender himself into custody.

An RCMP Emergency Response Team unit was subsequently deployed to the scene where a tactical armoured vehicle and chemical agent were used to successfully effect the arrest of the suspect.

The victim in this occurrence received medical care resulting from a single gunshot wound.  No responding police, fire, or EMS members were injured during the incident.

As a result of these events, William Joshua (Josh) Curtis, 40 years old, has been charged with the following offences under the Criminal Code:

  • Attempted murder by discharging a firearm
  • Pointing a firearm
  • Discharging a firearm
  • Aggravated assault
  • Possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence
  • Uttering threats
  • Manufacture of a firearm while unauthorized (x2)
  • Manufacture of ammunition while unauthorized
  • Possession of a firearm while prohibited

Curtis made his first appearance remotely in Carlyle Provincial Court on April 10 and was remanded in custody until April 11 to speak to the charges.