Man Who Opened Fire on Vanderhoof RCMP Detachment in 2021 Found Guilty on Six of Nine Related Charges

While he may have avoided the biggest charge, a man who opened fire on the Vanderhoof RCMP detachment in 2021 is facing six other convictions.

Paul Nicholas Russell has been found not guilty of attempted murder of a police officer, after pleading as such to all nine charges against him.

Each of those charges stemmed from an incident in November of that year, which prompted RCMP to issue a community-wide lockdown.

Police say Russell had driven up to the detachment in his white pick-up around noon, and began firing through the building’s windows.

After a short chase, officers were able to arrest Russell, locating a long gun and ammunition inside his truck at the time.

But, the BC Supreme Court did not find evidence that he had intended to kill police, resulting in the charge being thrown out.

They did, however, find him guilty of multiple other firearms-related offenses, with a sentencing set for later this month.