SASKATOON – Shawn Emile James Vermette was allegedly reaching for a machete he had concealed when he assaulted a Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Guns and Gangs officer during his arrest on Jan. 5.
Vermette, 28, made his first appearance in Saskatoon Provincial Court Monday and he was remanded in custody. The Crown is opposed to his release and a bail hearing has been set for Jan. 10.
He was arrested after officers from the SPS Guns and Gangs Unit saw him near 22nd Street West and Avenue O around 7:30 p.m. Friday.
When police tried arresting him, a physical altercation occurred and an officer was struck by Vermette. Police also say that Vermette was observed attempting to reach for, what was believed to be, a firearm concealed in his pants, before a Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) was successfully deployed and he was taken into custody. It was discovered that his weapon wasn’t a firearm, but a machete he had concealed. He also had ammunition on him at the time.
Vermette was charged with assaulting a peace officer, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a prohibited weapon. He was also wanted on an outstanding warrant at the time on a charge of possession of stolen property under $5,000.
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