News release
Yellowknife RCMP arrest one after bear-spray incident
February 13, 2025
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Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
From: Northwest Territories RCMP
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Police in Yellowknife have arrested one man in relation to a bear spray deployment at the Yellowknife Courthouse.
On February 12th, 2025 shortly after 10:00 a.m. Yellowknife RCMP received a report that bear spray had been deployed on both the first and second floors of the Yellowknife Courthouse. No injuries were reported and the lone suspect fled the area on foot.
Responding officers, supported by RCMP Police Dog Services, were able to identify the suspect and he was tracked to an apartment complex. As police approached, the suspect again fled but was arrested after a brief foot pursuit.
As a result of the investigation, 32-year-old Justin BARNET of Yellowknife has been charged with:
- Disguised with intent to commit an offence, contrary to section 351(2) of the Criminal Code
- Mischief, contrary to section 430(4) of the Criminal Code
- Resisting a peace officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of property obtained by crime, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
He appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was remanded into custody.
At the time of his arrest, BARNET was bound by a Release Order. He was also subject to an active warrant for his arrest for previously failing to appear in court on outstanding charges of Breaking and entering, Mischief and Obstructing a Peace Officer.
This investigation remains ongoing.
Contacts
Constable Josh Seaward
Media Relations Officer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
RCMP.NTMedia-NTMedias.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
https://rcmp.ca/en/nwt
https://facebook.com/rcmpnt