Thunder Bay Police Service officers were dispatched to a motel in the 400 block of North Cumberland Street at about 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17 following a weapons call and reported assault that had just occurred.
When police arrived they learned a male accused had assaulted a female victim inside a motel room. The female was able to exit the room following the assault. Police also learned the accused may have been in possession of a handgun.
A standoff between the accused and police ensued as the male ignored initial police instructions to exit the motel.
The male exited the room after a two-hour standoff. The accused then waved an object toward police, stated it was a knife, and made demands for police to use their firearms. Police completed the arrest after a brief struggle. A Taser was discharged and used effectively to complete the arrest.
Tyson Stanley SPENCE, 35, of Thunder Bay, is charged with:
- Assault
- Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm
- Mischief Under $5,000
- Resist Peace Officer
- Failure to Comply with a Judicial Release
- Uttering Threats – Death or Bodily Harm
He appeared in bail court on Thursday, March 18 and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date.
The investigation remains ongoing. Members of the TBPS’s Major Crimes Unit are now involved.