LPS officers attend a high-risk incident in downtown Lethbridge on July 14, 2022. (Photo: Randal Prouty)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge Police update charges in connection with hostage situation

Aug 17, 2022 | 11:30 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Police in Lethbridge have amended charges against a 40-year-old city woman in connection with a hostage situation last month.

On July 14, 2022, a 54-year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being taken hostage at a downtown Lethbridge business.

READ MORE: Suspect arrested in downtown Lethbridge hostage incident

Following the incident, 40-year-old Courtney Louise Shaw was charged with the following:

• One count of attempted murder
• One count of aggravated assault
• One count of taking a hostage
• One count of use of an imitation firearm while committing an offence
• One count of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public
• Three counts of assault with a weapon
• Four counts of unlawful confinement
• Four counts of uttering threats

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

READ MORE: Lethbridge woman charged with attempted murder in connection to hostage situation

On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) announced that the charges have been amended.

Following further investigation, which included testing the airsoft handgun seized at the scene, police say it was determined that the weapon met the definition of a firearm “based on the velocity of its projectiles.” As a result of this, the original charges that referred to an imitation weapon have been replaced with firearm charges.

Shaw is now charged with:

• One count of attempted murder
• One count of aggravated assault
• One count of taking a hostage
• One count of assault with a weapon (knife)
• Two counts of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public
• Four counts of unlawful confinement
• Four counts of uttering threats
• Four counts of pointing a firearm
• Four counts of assault with a weapon (firearm)

BACKGROUND

On July 14, 2022, the LPS responded to a 911 call reporting an armed suspect inside the Lethbridge Legal Guidance office along the 400 block of 5 Street South. Four employees were working when police say a woman entered the building and asked to speak to a specific lawyer.

The LPS stated that when the suspect was advised that the lawyer was not available, she asked to use the washroom. After about 10 minutes, police say the suspect exited the bathroom and pointed a handgun at the employees and threatened to kill them. The LPS reported that one employee was able to call 911.

As the situation escalated, police say the suspect produced a knife and continued to threaten to kill the employees if they did not reach the lawyer she wanted to see, or if they attempted to leave. The LPS says three employees were eventually able to escape, but the suspect confined a 54-year-old woman in the office.

Responding officers cordoned off the area, evacuated nearby businesses and advised others to have employees shelter in place. The LPS Critical Incident Team, including the Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiators, were deployed and negotiated with the suspect by phone for about an hour.

Police say members of the Tactical Team entered the building and found the victim with multiple stab wounds to her neck and the suspect holding a knife. The suspect was taken into custody and officers began life-saving measures for the victim.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. The victim underwent surgery and has since been released from hospital. Police say she continues to recover at home.

The next court appearance for Courtney Louise Shaw is scheduled for September 1, 2022.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.