Lethbridge woman involved in hostage taking charged with attempted murder

Lethbridge police say they have charged a 40-year-old woman with attempted murder following her entering a legal aid office, holding a 54-year-old woman hostage, and stabbing her in the neck.

On Thursday, police responded to a report of an armed woman entering an office in downtown Lethbridge that had 4 employees working, along the 400 block of 5 Street south.

When the woman entered the building, she asked to speak to a specific lawyer, but she was told the lawyer was not available.

She then asked to use the washroom. Ten minutes later, she went outside the washroom with a gun in her hands, pointed at two employees, threatening to kill them.

Police say one employee managed to call 911 from under a desk where she was hiding.

The suspect then pulled out a knife, and threatened to kill the employees if they don’t let her speak to the lawyer on the phone.

She then grabbed a 54-year-old woman, pulled her into a room — holding her hostage — then closed the door of the room.

At this point, the other three employees managed to escape.

The police then arrived with the Critical Incident Team, Tactical Team, and Crisis Negotiators.

Upon arrival, they asked nearby businesses and employees to shelter in place where they started their negotiation with the woman over the phone.

But after one hour of unsuccessful negotiations, police entered the building where they found the woman holding a knife to herself, and the victim in life-threatening condition as she had been stabbed in the neck multiple times.

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The victim was taken to Chinook Regional Hospital where she went under surgery where her situation improved.

The suspect was treated on scene and taken to custody.

Police say they seized a knife and a black air soft handgun at the scene.

The woman has been charged with one count of attempted murder, aggravated assault, taking a hostage, use of an imitation firearm 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.

She is scheduled to appear in court on July 22.