By Patrick Burles & Geoff Smith - @PatrickBurles & @GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter

Man charged with attempted murder also facing previous sexual assault charges

Apr 17, 2018 | 9:41 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Two days after his arrest in connection with an alleged shooting on the west side, Robert John Sheppard appeared in Lethbridge Provincial court Tuesday, April 17, facing four counts of attempted murder.

The 32-year-old made the appearance via CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre and was represented by duty counsel as he looks to retain a lawyer.

In addition to the attempted murder charges, Sheppard is also charged with discharging a firearm into a place, resisting arrest, careless use of a firearm, careless storage of a firearm, pointing a firearm, assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession in a vehicle, possession of a weapon obtained by the commission of an offence, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Crown prosecutor Erin Olsen, told the court that they are opposed to Sheppard’s release on the new charges and are applying to revoke his bail on previous charges that include sexual assault with a weapon, which are scheduled to go to trial later this year (more on that below).

The matter was then adjourned to April 20, giving Sheppard time to find a lawyer and the Crown time to prepare for a bail hearing.

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As Sheppard was appearing in court, acting Staff Sgt. Ryan Stef met with the media at the Lethbridge Police Service headquarters to discuss the incident Sunday night at a home along Heritage Blvd. West around 9 p.m.

“Shots were fired from the outside. That is into a home, there,” Stef said of the report that brought frontline and tactical team officers to the residence, before explaining what took them to another property in Dalhousie Court West, and how the accused was eventually arrested. “The second home is a home that we had information where Mr. Sheppard was residing at that time. And it was a traffic stop out by Granum where the RCMP Emergency Response Team found Mr. Sheppard.”

The RCMP arrest followed a pursuit, and officers noted finding a rifle and ammunition during a search of the vehicle. Stef said they believe the rifle had been obtained illegally.

“This is [a] domestic-violence related incident. Our victims are known to our subject,” Stef added. “The investigation is continuing, and I can’t speak to any future potential charges at this point. But the investigation is still ongoing, and we are still looking into some historical things that are involved in Mr. Sheppard’s life.”

As for media questions about possible military service, Stef said they are investigating whether Sheppard has ever been a member of the military in Canada or the United States.

Other charges before the court

The previous charges that the Crown is seeking to have Sheppard’s bail revoked on, relate to an alleged incident at or near Coalhurst on April 29, 2016.

After securing a copy of the indictment in that case, Lethbridge News Now has learned that Sheppard faces charges of sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, and two counts of possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence.

A three-day trial in Court of Queen’s Bench is currently scheduled for September on those charges.