Downtown hostage taking leaves victim in serious but stable condition, charges pending against 40-year-old woman

By Lethbridge Herald on July 14, 2022.

Herald photo by Al Beeber Heavily armed police with a member of the canine unit stand at the ready at Lethbridge Legal Guidance on Thursday afternoon.

Al Beeber – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – abeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

With a loud bang and the sound of what seemed to be gunshots, a hostage situation in downtown Lethbridge Thursday afternoon ended abruptly an hour and a half after it began.

A female employee of Lethbridge Legal Guidance at 423 5 St. S., who was taken hostage by another woman, was rushed to hospital by ambulance with life-threatening injuries. Police have taken a 40-year-old woman into custody.

Police Thursday evening sent out an update that the 54-year-old victim remained in hospital in serious but stable condition.

Lethbridge Legal Guidance, according to its website, provides free legal assistance, information and advocacy for people with financial difficulties who need legal services and people who don’t quality for legal aid.

Volunteer lawyers provide legal information and advice on a range of legal issues.

A heavyset Caucasian woman wearing a halter top and jean shorts was seen being escorted by police away from the scene. She did not appear to be injured.

The incident, which began in the early afternoon, prompted the closure of a portion of 5 St. S. At least one business, Bread, Milk and Honey, was evacuated while employees and clients of other businesses were locked down while police attended the situation.

Officers with weapons drawn could be seen facing a building on 5 St. while others were in an alley.

During the situation which drew scores of curious onlookers, one woman was overheard saying “why can’t they go in and save her?”

The woman, who was clearly distraught, was comforted by others as the situation unfolded and as it ended.

Amber Moens, an employee of Milk, Bread and Honey, was on a break in the basement when a manager came and told Moens to come to the office and look at security footage. A camera is pointed across the alley at a doorway. The door was open and police – including a K9 unit – were everywhere.

“I wasn’t really sure what was going on to be honest,” said Moens.

Police then asked staff to evacuate the cafe which had about 10-15 people inside, Moens said.

One cafe guest, whose mother just arrived from Montreal to visit the city, told The Herald she was wondering how she was going to get her vehicle out which was parked almost directly in front of the cafe.

During the afternoon, the police presence grew stronger with police wearing protective gear appearing. Officers could be seen pointing rifles and other firearms at the building where the hostage was being held. Police taped off and city staff barricaded the block but crowds of gawkers hung around with cellphones, watching and taking photos. A couple cheered when they heard the bangs as police moved in.

Two police units on scene rushed to the scene from the Civic Centre where the homeless encampment was being removed just before 1 p.m., one with bicycles in the bed of a pickup truck.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

– with files from Ian Martens