Gunshots fired at Alberta dump, 2 arrested

Shotguns seized from a driver near the Chipewyan Prairie dump. (Credit: RCMP)

Two people have been arrested after shots were fired at a garbage dump south of Fort McMurray over the weekend.

Mounties got multiple calls about gunshots at the dump in Chipewyan Prairie, about 130 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, at 3:18 a.m. on Saturday.

When officers arrived, they found a black Ford F150 stuck in a field near the dump.

Police attempted to speak to the driver, who reportedly continued to rev the engine of the truck and spin the wheels.

The driver eventually complied with the officers, got out of the truck and was arrested without incident.

A woman in the truck was also arrested without incident.

A search of the truck turned up two loaded black pump-action, short-barreled shotguns, ammunition and illegal cigarettes.

Police say the serial number had been removed from one of the guns, and that gun casings were found near the driver’s side window of the truck.

The driver was also found to be bound by three firearms prohibition orders at the time of his arrest.

The 40-year-old man from Chipewyan Prairie First Nation has been charged with:

• two counts unauthorized possession of a firearm;
• two counts possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;
• two counts possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;
• possession of a firearm with tampered serial number;
• two counts careless use of a firearm; and
• four counts weapons possession contrary to order.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Fort McMurray on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old woman who was in the truck will be charged with:

• careless use of a firearm;
• two counts possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;
• possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition without licence / registration; and
• possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number.

She is set to appear in court in Fort McMurray on June 17.