Winnipeg Police Service

May 28, 2019

Winnipeg Police Service Media Release
For Immediate Release

Assault with a Weapon – Investigation: C19-117859

On May 27th, 2019, at approximately 5:20 p.m. the Winnipeg Police Service was advised of a male seeking medical treatment after being shot. East District officers met with the victim, a 35-year-old male, who advised that at approximately 3:00 p.m. he was walking in the area of Consol Avenue and Louelda Street. A blue, 4-door vehicle approached him from behind, and a shot was fired from the vehicle, striking the victim in the face.

The victim has been treated in hospital for his injuries and released. At this time it is believed that the weapon used was a type of pellet gun.

This investigation is continuing by members of the Major Crimes Unit. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

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Firearms – Arrests: C19-117464

On May 26th, 2019, at approximately 6:00 p.m. members of the Winnipeg Police Service Guns and Gangs Unit were conducting crime suppression in area of Balmoral Street and Cumberland Avenue. They observed a male on a bicycle darting in and out of traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions and causing motorists to swerve and brake.

Officers attempted to speak with the male; however, he fled the area on his bicycle.

A short time later, the same male was seen entering a yard in the 500 block of Maryland Avenue. The male lifted his bike and officer's observed what appeared to be a weapon in his waistband. Upon police telling the male to stop, he fled into a residence. Officer's followed and took the male into custody. A female in the residence was identified and taken into custody.

Officer's applied for and received a warrant to search the residence. During the search, the following was located:

• 11 improvised firearms (two loaded)
• .22 calibre bolt action prohibited firearm with a sling
• Numerous improvised firearm parts in various stages of completion
• Various power tools used to manufacture improvised
• Approximately 1 gram of methamphetamine valued at $50.00 Canadian

Leslie Randolph BEAULIEU, a 27-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition X3
• Possession of a Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order X2
• Weapons Trafficking
• Possession of a Scheduled Substance-Methamphetamine

Krista Marie ROULETTE, a 38-year-old female of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

• Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
• Fail to Comply with Recognizance X4

She was also arrested on an outstanding warrant for Fail to Attend Court.

Both have been detained at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.

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Guns and Gangs Unit Dismantle Improvised Firearms Manufacturing

In April 2019, the Winnipeg Police Service created the Guns and Gangs Unit. The unit was formed to combat the significant increase in gang-related violence, shootings, and firearm discharges.

Both nationally and locally, we have seen an increase in violent crime where a firearm was present. In 2016, there were 7100 victims - a rate of 25 victims of firearm-related violent crime per 100,000 Canadians. In Manitoba, we have one of the highest provincial rates of firearm-related violent crime at 48 victims per 100,000 population; nearly double the Canadian average.

The Guns and Gangs Unit mandate is to identify, arrest, and dismantle any gang criminal organization or crime group responsible for violent criminal activity within our community, primarily focusing on illegal firearms, ammunition, and illicit drugs.

In recent weeks the WPS has released information on an increasing number of firearms-related offences. The Winnipeg Police Service continues to see a marked rise in firearms, improvised firearms, and related incidents.

Zip guns or "improvised/homemade firearms" are the second most common seized crime gun by the Winnipeg Police Service (sawed-off firearms are the most common). Seizures of zip guns increased from 3 in 2016 to 52 in 2018. In 2019 so far, 31 zip guns have been seized.

It is known that there are individuals in Winnipeg who are mass producing zip guns and selling them to those in the gang and drug sub-cultures.

The following statistics illustrate the significant increases over the last few years.

Seized Firearms (Total)

	2016	2017	2018
Total Seized	773	1183	1747

Shootings (Evidence of Shootings)

2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
44	43	50	74	90

Incidents where a gun was involved

2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019 - Feb
175	196	281	363	361	55

Homicides by Firearm

2017	7
2018	3
2019 to date	6

See it – Say it
We can all play a role in making sure firearms don’t fall into the wrong hands. If you see what you believe to be a firearm in the care of someone or a firearm at a specific location, it should not be, call 911.

The Winnipeg Police Service Firearms Investigative Enforcement Unit (F.I.E.U), is dedicated to investigating suspicious firearms activity and the illegal acquisition and possession of firearms. Members of the unit may be contacted at 204-986-3258 for further information.

If you have information on any gun crime, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 786- TIPS (8477), where callers never have to reveal their identity. If your tip is helpful, you are eligible to receive an award up to $2000.00 in cash.

If you are the legal owner of firearms ensure they are stored safely and appropriately in a manner that complies with Federal regulation which applies both to firearms and ammunition. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-11.6/index.html

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• Last Update: May 28, 2019

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