A violent alcohol-fuelled domestic argument that allegedly escalated into threats of murder-suicide has resulted in a rural man facing 16 Criminal Code charges.Didsbury RCMP were dispatched at 9:45 p.m. last Thursday to an isolated Mountain View County farm residence in the Zella district, 22 kilometres west of Didsbury, after an urgent 911 call was received from a 49-year-old woman.She told police an argument with her intoxicated 56-year-old common-law husband had turned violent. According to police the man allegedly possessed a small-calibre rifle and threatened to commit murder and suicide.ìI have no knowledge of any physical contact,î said Didsbury RCMP Cpl. WarrenWright, who added the woman was sober.He said there was an argument, and that the man first allegedly threatened to shoot the woman, then himself, and finally both.Wright said at some point during the incident the man went to a different part of the house and the woman was able to leave the residence. He said the woman found an outbuilding on the property to hide in until police arrived.ìAt some point she knew they (police) were nearby and she made a break for the road,î said Wright. ìMembers picked her up and drove her several kilometres down the road to an ambulance.îShortly after, police surrounded the residence and the man surrendered without incident.ìHe was instructed to walk down the driveway with his hands up,î said Wright.Wright said the woman was physically unharmed and Victims Services was called in to assist her.Meanwhile, police searched the house and seized four rifles and a quantity of ammunition.The man, who was placed in police custody, is now charged with 16 Criminal Code charges, including forcible confinement, intimidation, assault with a weapon, uttering death threats and several firearms offences.Wright said the police are not at this time releasing the name of the accused to protect the identity of the alleged victim.The man was scheduled to make his first appearance in Didsbury provincial court on Nov.7. At that time his bail hearing will be held.
