RCMP thank Good Samaritan after violent apprehension on Christmas Day

Police are thanking the assistance of a Good Samaritan after a violent apprehension that injured two RCMP officers.

According to a statement from the Ridge Meadows RCMP, the incident occurred on Christmas Day, just before 4 pm. Police responded to a report of a “suspicious woman” causing a disturbance at a restaurant in the 22700 blocks of Lougheed Highway.

RCMP says that when a police officer arrived on scene, they observed a woman “acting erratically” and “attempting to self-harm herself with a sharp metal object.” She then ran into oncoming traffic.

Police tried to apprehend the woman to prevent any further harm; however, she fought back and reportedly attempted to take the police officer’s holstered gun.

The police officer then tried to use a taser on the woman, which was ineffective on the suspect.

During this time, a number of bystanders were filming the incident on their cellphones. One person, however, got out of their car and “immediately jumped in to assist the officer” until backup arrived.

Additional police support eventually arrived, as well as the RCMP’s police dog services, but the woman continued to struggle and resist arrest.

The female suspect was eventually apprehended and transported to the hospital, and two RCMP officers were injured in the process. One police officer received a lower-body injury during the exchange, while another was slashed above the shoulder and required seven stitches.

“While for everyone’s safety we always encourage people to allow the police to do their job, we can’t help but be ever so thankful to this citizen, this Good Samaritan, who stepped in and assisted our officer,” says Superintendent Jennifer Hyland. “We are incredibly grateful to this person for their courageous actions. Additionally, the nurses and doctors who assisted our officers were amazing, and we thank them for their professionalism and service.”