DEER LAKE, N.L. — Liberal Leader Andrew Furey was likely the intended target of an incident in Deer Lake on Tuesday that resulted in the arrest of a Bonne Bay man, a Liberal party campaign official says.
The RCMP received a report at 10:15 a.m. that the man, who is from Shoal Brook, said he was going to Deer Lake to stop the election. The man was said to have been acting in an unusual manner and also making reference to firearms.
The RCMP was told the man departed Bonne Bay in a truck heading toward Wiltondale.
Police located the vehicle he was in on Route 430 north of Cormack and attempted to stop it, but the truck sped up and continued toward Deer Lake at a high speed, police said.
Police say they had concerns for public safety and maintained sight of the truck during the pursuit, which lasted less than 10 minutes.
Once it reached Deer Lake the truck continued at dangerous speeds through the community before stopping in a parking lot behind a ScotiaBank branch and near a local law office.
The man was removed from the vehicle and arrested in the parking lot. A large quantity of knives was found inside the vehicle and seized. Police also seized and impounded the truck.
Police say there is no concern for public safety and the investigation is continuing. It’s expected the man will be charged with a number of criminal and traffic offences.
Furey was in Labrador when the incident occurred, but Meghan McCabe, the communications director for his campaign, confirmed in an email that they have been advised it was likely targeted at him.
“This is a traumatic incident, for everyone working and volunteering in Newfoundland and Labrador’s election. There is no place for violence in our society. We are fortunate to live in a free and democratic country, and the safety and well-being of all individuals is most important,” McCabe said in the email.
"...we’d like to thank the members of the public who stepped in to do what they could to prevent an unimaginable outcome." — Meghan McCabe
She said the campaign team is connecting with the leadership of the other political parties and connecting with its team members in Deer Lake to offer support.
“The police investigation is ongoing, but from what we know so far we’d like to thank the members of the public who stepped in to do what they could to prevent an unimaginable outcome, and all police officers who ensured the safety of the public.”
McCabe said Furey would release a further statement Tuesday night as more details become available.
A statement from the Progressive Conservative party said they are deeply concerned about the incident.
“After speaking with law enforcement, we do not believe the incident was targeted to any individual. We are told there is no risk to public safety connected to the incident,” the statement said.
“The PC campaign will continue because that’s what the voters deserve. We send our thoughts to the people of Deer Lake who have faced a troubling event in the town today. We shall persevere, together.”
In an emailed statement, NDP Leader Alison Coffin said the “reports of a traumatic incident in Deer Lake are certainly very troubling.”
“Violence or threats of violence have no place in our province. On behalf of all New Democrats, I want to extend my best wishes to Mr. Furey as well as the staff and volunteers at his campaign."
[email protected] | @WS_DianeCrocker
