LPS Acting Staff Sergeant Bruce Hagel provided an update on the hostage situation that took place on July 14, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick

Lethbridge woman charged with attempted murder in connection to hostage situation

Jul 15, 2022 | 3:26 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) has charged a 40-year-old woman with attempted murder, as well as a number of other charges, in connection to a hostage situation that took place at a legal guidance office along the 400 block of 5 Avenue South on Thursday, July 14, 2022.

A 54-year-old employee was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition after being stabbed in the neck multiple times as the Lethbridge Police Tactical team breached the room where the suspect had taken her hostage.

LPS says the suspect entered the legal office and asked to speak to a specific lawyer. When she was informed the specific lawyer was not available, they asked to use the restroom. After approximately 10-minutes, the suspect emerged, pointing what investigators have identified as an airsoft handgun and threatened to kill multiple employees.

One employee managed to hide under their desk and call 911. The suspect allegedly produced a knife and continued to threaten the employees if they attempted to leave and did not get the lawyer on the phone. According to LPS, the suspect then forced the 54-year-old woman into an office and locked the door, which allowed the remaining employees to escape.

Officers from the Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiators attempted to de-escalate the situation by speaking to the suspect over the phone for roughly an hour. However, at approximately 3:00 p.m., it was believed there was an imminent threat to the life of the hostage, which resulted in the Tactical Team making an entry into the building.

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Acting Staff Sergeant Bruce Hagel says the Tactical Team was sent in becuase they believed the hostage was at risk.

“So once the the there came a critical point where the crisis negotiators, believe that there was an imminent threat to her life,” Hagel said. “It was at that moment that the tactical team made entry into the building and likely saved her life. The victim tragically did suffer some some very life threatening injuries to her neck. Members on scene quickly responded, [and] took the offender into custody.”

Upon entry, the Tactical Team was able to apprehend the suspect, who was holding the knife to herself, and began to apply emergency first-aid to the victim.

The victim was taken to hospital where she remains in stable but serious condition.

Broken windows after LPS deployed distractions as the Tactical Team apprehended the suspect, July 15, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

Courtney Louise Shaw of Lethbridge has been charged with one count of attempted murder, aggravated assault, taking a hostage, use of an imitation while committing an offence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, four counts of unlawful confinement, four counts of uttering threats, and three counts of assault with a weapon.

Shaw remains in custody after being denied bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 22, 2022.