OLDS - A 19-year-old man charged after allegedly pointing an imitation firearm at a film production set of an episode of The Last of Us series in Olds in June 2022 now awaits a decision on whether his action was a criminal offence.
Reece Wadden, 19, faces charges of mischief, possession of an imitation weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, and use of an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His trial in Calgary provincial court before Judge Brian Stevenson got underway this week. The judge is scheduled to be back in court on March 13 to set the date for decision in the trial.
Wadden was arrested and charged after a film crew member observed someone pointing what appeared to be a firearm out of a second-story window adjacent to the film set on 51st Street, court reportedly heard.
Crown prosector Alyx Nanji provided a verbatim transcript of his closing comments to the Albertan.
Nanji told Judge Stevenson, “Undoubtedly the actions of Wadden obstructed, interrupted, and interfered with the lawful use and operation of property by the set of Last of Us. This goes directly to all counts that require the use of property to be affected and public peace being affected.
“Could he foresee people being scared as a result of pointing a gun out of his window? Absolutely. Without a doubt. Thus, simply doing the act with some foresight of what may come from it is enough to fulfill his general intent.
“I would suggest that Wadden had specific intent to cause mischief, based on actually using the imitation firearm, and his actions and inactions afterwards.”
Nanji described the imitation firearm as a BB gun that resembles an “AR-15-style firearm.”
