The man responsible for discharging a high-powered assault rifle a few metres away from an elementary school in the Viking Ridge residential complex is facing numerous weapons offences charges.
Darren Jonathan Featherstone, 38, was in North Vancouver provincial court Wednesday (Oct. 28) to face charges of careless use of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous person following the Oct. 16 incident.
At 8 a.m., residents of the complex, which neighbours Mamquam Elementary School, heard several shots fired from within one of the complex's units, according to RCMP. Bullets sprayed a nearby unit, breaking its windows, according to a police report. No bystanders were injured.
RCMP 38-year-old Featherstone is known to police, and appeared "distraught" and "to be high on drugs at the time" at the time of his arrested. He was spotted running through the complex's parking lot with a large combat knife and two fully-loaded magazines of ammunition for a high-powered assault rifle. The rifle was found in h is home. He reportedly left with police without further incident.
Thief caught in the act
On Oct. 21 at 1:38 a.m., an alert citizen reported a suspicious male near a parked vehicle at Clarke Drive and Highway 99. Upon attendance the member approached a male near the rear of the vehicle. The male fled on foot and was apprehended a short distance away. An investigation determined the 21-year-old male had used a rock to smash the vehicle window and stole items from the interior and trunk of the vehicle. The male will appear in court on Nov. 25 to face charges of mischief and theft under $5,000.
Drunk drivers charged
On Oct. 24 at 1:16 a.m. member on patrol observed a 2008 Chevrolet pick up speeding on Government Road. The vehicle was checked and the 35-year-old male driver displayed symptoms of impairment by alcohol. The driver was given a roadside screening which resulted in a "fail" and the driver was returned to the detachment and registered two breathalyzer readings over the legal limit and was released on a promise to appear for court in Jan. 2010 to face an impaired driving charge.
On Oct. 24 at 1:48 a.m., a member observed a vehicle on Cleveland Avenue in an erratic fashion, upon checking the vehicle the member observed the driver to be impaired by alcohol and the 51-year-old male was returned to the detachment and registered two readings twice the legal limit. The male was released on a promise to appear to attend court on Dec. 16 to face a charge of impaired driving.
Vehicle broken into
On Oct. 23 at 1:59 p.m., a vehicle was broken into at Shannon Falls Parking lot. An Apple Macbook Laptop, a HP Laptop an LG cellphone and credit cards and cash were stolen.
