Fugitive murderer William Bicknell was arrested after an hours-long armed standoff in northern Alberta on Saturday.
Just after 4 p.m., Spirit River RCMP received a tip that Bicknell was at a rural residence in the area.
After responding to the residence, officers attempted to stop a vehicle that was fleeing the scene and a chase ensued, RCMP said in a news release.
Grande Prairie RCMP were called in to assist in the pursuit, which ended just east of Sexsmith, where the vehicle Bicknell was allegedly driving crashed in a ditch, RCMP said.
RCMP surrounded the area and Bicknell surrendered to police at around 8:15 p.m.
There were no reported fatalities, but an RCMP officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and received medical treatment. Bicknell was taken to hospital to receive treatment for undetermined injuries he received during the pursuit and standoff, RCMP said.
The investigation is ongoing and RCMP said charges related to the standoff are pending against Bicknell.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has been called in to investigate the events. ASIRT investigates incidents or complaints involving police that result in serious injury or death.
RCMP issued a warning to the public on Friday that Bicknell was possibly in the Peace River area, where he was believed to have “past associations.”
Bicknell, 42, has been on the run since March 10, when he escaped from custody by overpowering a guard during a drive back to Drumheller Institution after a visit with his sister, Sandra Myshak, in Edmonton. After overpowering the guard, Bicknell returned to Edmonton where he received guns and ammunition, police said.
Myshak is in police custody facing several charges related to assisting in her brother’s escape.
Bicknell was imprisoned for the second-degree murder of Angela Steer. He killed her with a baseball bat in 2001 in Maple Ridge, B.C.
While he was on the run, Bicknell allegedly held a 72-year-old Sherwood Park man hostage for 10 hours in Vegreville on March 14.
In connection with that incident, police have laid new charges of kidnapping with a firearm, unlawful confinement with a firearm, pointing a firearm and break and enter.
Charges related to Saturday’s standoff are pending, RCMP said.
Sexsmith is about 460 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
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