Armed Assailants storm Williams Lake home

[Drache]

On October 31st, 2012, shortly after 9:00pm, the Williams Lake RCMP responded to a complaint of a home invasion on Barnard Street.

Multiple calls were received about a group of people who had burst into a residence armed with machetes, bats, and bear spray. Once inside the residence, they attempted to assault the residents who were successful in securing themselves in a locked room.

The assailants then completely ransacked the interior of the residence using extreme violence.

The Williams Lake RCMP attended and after a foot pursuit with several of the suspects, managed to corner them at a residence on Pinchbeck Street. A hostile and uncooperative group of 12 people believed to be involved were arrested.

Fortunately, the victims did not suffer any injuries however there is extensive damage to the residence on Barnard Street along with the three vehicles parked at the residence, one of which was stolen and recovered during the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and suspects remain in custody. All suspects are well known to the police.

http://welcometowilliamslake.ca/index.php/the-news/local-news/6301-20-people-lodged-in-cells-in-williams-lake-on-halloween-night.html

While the investigation is still in the preliminary stage, Williams Lake RCMP are confident that the home invasion that took place in Williams Lake on Halloween night was targeted.

According to Inspector Warren Brown, it is believed that one of the victims and one of the suspects were engaged in an ongoing conflict.

"We believe the attack was targeted, and there was a specific purpose (not criminal) why the suspects chose that specific house," explained Inspector Brown. However, the two additional victims are extremely distraught and that is making it difficult to piece everything together.

Inspector Brown advised that all available RCMP members are currently trying to identify victims, witnesses and process evidence.  There are twelve suspects in custody right now, but it is not yet known how many of them will be charged. The police stated earlier in the day that all of the suspects are well known to them.

When asked about the potential flaws in the justice system which allow criminals back on the streets, Inspector Brown said, "The police's role in a criminal investigation is to gather and collect evidence and forward it to the courts."  Period.

In Williams Lake, the weapons of choice for these types of incidents seem to be bear spray and machetes.  "I question whether the risk of having them available for sale in our community outweigh the benefits," stated Inspector Brown. "They seem to be more of a detriment."

The investigation into this violent crime is ongoing.  Updates will be published as they become available.

http://welcometowilliamslake.ca/index.php/the-news/local-news/6309-home-invasion-was-targeted-not-random.html

I'll say this, anyone who starts breaking into my home with a weapon is going to be in for a nasty surprise.....   

[charge69]

I don't care if they have a weapon or not, if they break into my home, it gonna get real unheathy for them immediately. I live in Texas and besides being home most of the time, I am well prepared !!

[Drache]

I don't care if they have a weapon or not, if they break into my home, it gonna get real unheathy for them immediately. I live in Texas and besides being home most of the time, I am well prepared !!

Sadly I live in Canada where defending yourself is against the law. In your country you're allowed to use a level of force equal to that used against you. It seems in my country you have to use one level below what is being used against you.

A man named Ian Thomson was asleep one night when three men started fire bombing his home with Molotov cocktails. They even admitted they knew he was home at the time. Ian unlocked his safe and grabbed a revolver, went outside and fired numerous warning shots at the attackers (he didn't want to kill). Ian was put on trial for careless use of a firearm among other charges. The three men weren't even charged with attempted murder. I believe their greatest charge was arson. 

[stripedelete]

Don't worry, if you aren't a bad guy too, no one will be breaking your door down.  (for the exact reason/greeting you describe)

The media loves to sensationalize this stuff by making it sound random.  It's almost never random.  

[Drache]

Don't worry, if you aren't a bad guy too, no one will be breaking your door down.  (for the exact reason/greeting you describe)

The media loves to sensationalize this stuff by making it sound random.  It's almost never random.  

Actually there has been number of break ins in this area. Williams Lake is one of the highest crime rates in British Columbia and we're only a town of 12,000 people give or take. Generally though most of these break ins are choosing the wrong house.

The attack in the story happened because one of the attackers called one of the victims a name. The victim responded in a way that embarrassed the attacker. That's how this came about.

[twodko]

I'll say this, anyone who starts breaking into my home with a weapon is going to be in for a nasty surprise.....   



Were someone to break into my house and I have a chance to react, bad juju will follow. What in hell is happening to our world gang? Is it just the bad economy or the leading edge of MadMax. 

[Fred]

I don't care if they have a weapon or not, if they break into my home, it gonna get real unheathy for them immediately. I live in Texas and besides being home most of the time, I am well prepared !!

Sadly I live in Canada where defending yourself is against the law. In your country you're allowed to use a level of force equal to that used against you. It seems in my country you have to use one level below what is being used against you.

A man named Ian Thomson was asleep one night when three men started fire bombing his home with Molotov cocktails. They even admitted they knew he was home at the time. Ian unlocked his safe and grabbed a revolver, went outside and fired numerous warning shots at the attackers (he didn't want to kill). Ian was put on trial for careless use of a firearm among other charges. The three men weren't even charged with attempted murder. I believe their greatest charge was arson.  

Same here. We're only allowed to use reasonable force (mostly just to detain the intruder until the police arrive). Should you go beyond reasonable force, you'll be the one introuble with the law.  And should the intruder injure himself while on your property (while getting ready to ro you or even kill you) he has the right to sue. This I will never be able to understand.  The law stinks.
Every one should have the right to defend their property and themselves from harm by whatever means necessary.

[JB400]

Personally, anyone that commits an act like that is a dead man walking.  On my property, they won't be walking very far for very long.  They'll be begging for mercy until the cops show up.  I do condone killing, but not wounding a criminal; that's fair game in the act of protecting yourself, your family, and your property.
What I don't get, nobody gets a first hand encounter of what happens to people that do things like this.  Like I said in an earlier post,  we need to make an example out of criminals.  Bring back executions, and make them public.  If no one wants to see them, they won't commit any crimes.  Fear is the only thing we don't use anymore.  Now if you commit a crime, you get an air conditioned hotel room with tv, net, and free meals   Homeless don't even get that.  We definitely need to stiffen our penalties.  Back in the day, if you committed a crime, you were shot, hung, or worse and you knew what would happen if you got caught.  But, now we have human rights.  Question is, are criminals really human after they commit a crime?

[bull]

"In Williams Lake, the weapons of choice for these types of incidents seem to be bear spray and machetes.  "I question whether the risk of having them available for sale in our community outweigh the benefits," stated Inspector Brown. "They seem to be more of a detriment.""

Oh, I see. Now we have to create laws to regulate bear spray and machetes. Moron.

[charge69]

A LOT more people die in DWI- related accidents every year across the country and I am sure Canada is the same. Lets make DWI illegal and that will surely stop the madness. ......... Oh, wait !!!

[Chargen69]

if somebody is in the way of me getting to go home, or be safe in my home, they are not going to survive it.

[Fred]

Personally, anyone that commits an act like that is a dead man walking.  On my property, they won't be walking very far for very long.  They'll be begging for mercy until the cops show up.  I do condone killing, but not wounding a criminal; that's fair game in the act of protecting yourself, your family, and your property.
What I don't get, nobody gets a first hand encounter of what happens to people that do things like this.  Like I said in an earlier post,  we need to make an example out of criminals.  Bring back executions, and make them public.  If no one wants to see them, they won't commit any crimes.  Fear is the only thing we don't use anymore.  Now if you commit a crime, you get an air conditioned hotel room with tv, net, and free meals   Homeless don't even get that.  We definitely need to stiffen our penalties.  Back in the day, if you committed a crime, you were shot, hung, or worse and you knew what would happen if you got caught.  But, now we have human rights.  Question is, are criminals really human after they commit a crime?

Yes, sentences are way too lenient these days. Most of the time it's just a slap on the wrist.   If I were homeless, I'd commit a crime that would keep me inside one of those luxury guest houses with gyms and libraries etc. and 3 hot meals a day. Beats sleaping on a park bench or in a cardboard box any time.

[skip68]

Im glad I live in open carry county.   

[Drache]

Im glad I live in open carry county.   

I carry while at home. But the moment I fall asleep Canadian Law states I must lock my firearm up in a safe.

[Fred]

I carry my lethal weapon around with me 24/7

[stripedelete]

I don't care if they have a weapon or not, if they break into my home, it gonna get real unheathy for them immediately. I live in Texas and besides being home most of the time, I am well prepared !!

Sadly I live in Canada where defending yourself is against the law. In your country you're allowed to use a level of force equal to that used against you. It seems in my country you have to use one level below what is being used against you.

A man named Ian Thomson was asleep one night when three men started fire bombing his home with Molotov cocktails. They even admitted they knew he was home at the time. Ian unlocked his safe and grabbed a revolver, went outside and fired numerous warning shots at the attackers (he didn't want to kill). Ian was put on trial for careless use of a firearm among other charges. The three men weren't even charged with attempted murder. I believe their greatest charge was arson. 

Therefore not random.    There's almost always a connection.   When a burglar ends up face to face with home owners, he runs like hell because he is a thief not a killer.  "Home invasion" is criminals preying on criminals.  (except when they get the wrong address).   Victums are "mostly" drug dealers, bookies, and gang bangers etc.   Unfortunately, in a few cases, it's a non-criminal, that makes the mistake of keeping extreme valuables in their home.   

With that said, nothing wrong with keeping a gun handy.   

BTW, I thought you guys didn't have to lock your doors up there.