A Quebec man who opened fire on the Trail RCMP and local paramedics last fall, was sentenced to six years in a federal prison.
Francis Paradis pleaded guilty to four of seven criminal offences via video in Rossland Provincial Court on Monday, April 24.
The man from Saint-Paul-de-lB次元官网网址櫭巐e-aux-Noix in Mont茅r茅gie, Que. pleaded guilty to two counts of using a restricted or prohibited firearm; one count of possessing a firearm while prohibited; and one count of carrying a restricted firearm.
According to court documents, the offences carried a total of 19 years sentencing, but Paradis will serve six years as the sentences will run concurrently. He will also get time-and-a-half credit for the six months (181 days) he already served, for a total of nine months (272 days) less than the six-year sentence.
Paradis, 29, was charged for shooting several rounds at two police officers and three paramedics at the Trail ambulance station on Oct. 25, 2022.
Notably, three of the more serious charges, including attempted murder and assault with a weapon, were dismissed because of ParadisB次元官网网址� plea.
B次元官网网址淛udge Grant Sheard addressed the court and stated that part of the consideration for Mr. ParadisB次元官网网址� sentencing included factors like maintaining law, peace and order through the denunciation of violence against police,B次元官网网址� Trail RCMP and district commander, Sgt. Mike Wicentowich, told the Times.
B次元官网网址淚 believe that the sentence reflects that denunciation.B次元官网网址�
Police encountered Paradis outside the ambulance station behind Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital at around midnight.
They tried to talk down an anxious Paradis, who had recently left the hospital after being transported there by ambulance following a motor vehicle accident in Grand Forks. He fired several rounds from a handgun at the officers and nearby paramedics.
Police officers used a stun-gun device to subdue Paradis and then arrested him. According to police, no one was physically injured.
B次元官网网址淢y officers put themselves in harmB次元官网网址檚 way to maintain public peace and safety and uphold the law,B次元官网网址� said Wicentowich. B次元官网网址淥ur EHS partners are dedicated to saving lives through their daily efforts. Sometimes the police and their partners end up facing much more that they expected as in (this) case.B次元官网网址�
Just prior to the incident, a warrant for ParadisB次元官网网址� arrest had been filed on Oct. 19, 2022 for charges related to an assault on a woman with a weapon.
Paradis had also been convicted of manslaughter in February 2020 and served 11 months in a Quebec prison for his involvement in the death of Philippe Lareau.
B次元官网网址淭his event was traumatic for all involved,B次元官网网址� added Wicentowich. B次元官网网址淭his was a close as call as it could be and a miracle no one was injured. The officers and paramedics are recovering and taking the right steps in processing and moving forward.
B次元官网网址淚t is never a straight line but we are all here as a community to support them.B次元官网网址�
