Dispersing the Fog - Ep 20 - Forensics Expert/Author Tom Juby On DNA, Campbell Police Update
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"Constable Nick Dorrington was an interesting witness. Constable Dorrington joined the RCMP in 2015, after having served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 17 years. He struck me as a highly competent officer, who was not utilized properly during the events of the mass casualty. He gave the impression certainly that he was not holding anything back. Cst. Dorrington was getting ready for bed after completing a 13 hour shift the day of April 18, 2020 when he received a phone call that there was an active shooter situation. He immediately sprung into action and drove to the scene, at over 200 km/h.
Constable Dorrington was critical of the command decision not to send a second team of officers into Portapique immediately. He was assigned containment duties instead. He was also critical of the equipment possessed by the officers in this rural detachment. He recommended that each detachment should have night vision goggles and handheld infrared heat sensors. He was critical of there being too many commanders giving orders.
Two months prior to the events of the mass casualty, Constable Dorrington had given the killer a speeding ticket. At that time, the killer was driving one of the decommissioned RCMP vehicles. In what Cst. Dorrington described as very unusual behavior, Wortman immediately got out of his vehicle when he was pulled over, looking infuriated. Constable Dorrington ordered him back into his vehicle and then was able to go deal with him. Wortman said he felt he was being targeted because he had dealt with the Halifax police earlier that same day.
One result from that traffic stop was that Constable Dorrington had a photo of the killer, which he was able to distribute to other officers as the active shooter situation unfolded.
On the morning of the 19th, Cst. Dorrington was again frustrated with command decisions as he was being assigned to drive around the community and check the various homes and other areas for anything unusual. He felt that with his military skill set, and the fact that he was driving an unmarked vehicle would have given him an advantage against the killer, who would have been on the lookout for fully marked RCMP cruisers.
In addition, Constable Dorrington had provided information over the radio that the killer’s vehicle was in Brookfield (information which he obtained from his wife, who had been speaking with a friend just as the vehicle passed by her home), and he felt that the information was not given sufficient priority. The radio communications that were played today seem to support his contention.
The testimony from Constable Dorrington seems to support some of the theories that the command decisions were hampered by having an unclear chain of command, too many commanders, communications issues, and an overly cautious approach in the initial minutes and hours."
He’s now accused of attempting to murder Const. Nicholas Gilfillan, Cpl. Jeremy Hardy, Const. Pierre-Alexandre Roy, Const. Nicholas Hatt, Const. Andrew Charles Williams, Const. Samuel Phaneuf, Corp. Jonathan Cook, Staff Sgt. Luc Samson, Const. Nicolas Vu, Const. Maximilien Monfette-Theoret, Const. Stephane Blinn, Sgt. Mike Litalien, Const. Nicholas Dorrington, Const. Tyler Piercy, and Const. Jamie Hawkins by shooting at them. He’s also charged with shooting at each officer with attempt to wound, maim or disfigure.
Sabattis also faces charges of threats to police, a threat to cause the death or bodily harm of Const. Alex GaraultDozens more charges laid against man accused of shooting at police during standoff
Michael Christopher Sabattis accused of attempting to murder 15 RCMP officers at Bilijk First Nation
Police have laid dozens of new charges against a 34-year-old man who fired at police during a standoff in Bilijk First Nation in April.
Michael Christopher Sabattis was hit with 34 charges on Friday, 15 of which are for attempting to murder Mounties who responded on April 15 to a home in the community, also known as Kingsclear First Nation, which is about 20 kilometres west of Fredericton.
Another 15 charges allege Sabattis discharged a firearm with intent to wound, maim or disfigure those same Mounties.
Sabattis is also charged with two counts of uttering threats to police, assaulting Tammy Sabattis, and committing aggravated assault against Brian Sabattis, all on the same day.
New charges laid against man arrested after standoff in Kingsclear First NationAn earlier five-count charge sheet, which alleged one of each of those charges, was withdrawn.
A day after the April 15 incident, New Brunswick RCMP released a statement saying officers went to an address on Tomahawk Avenue at 12:35 p.m. after receiving a report of an assault.
Seven RCMP vehicles, including a tactical armoured vehicle, were struck during the standoff in Bilijk in April. (New Brunswick RCMP/Facebook)
On arrival, the officers found a man outside, who threatened police before he barricaded himself inside the house with a weapon.
The news release said "a short time later" he began firing dozens of gunshots at police through the windows of the home.
Police said a member of the RCMP emergency response team was struck in the head by a bullet but, protected by a ballistics helmet, did not suffer serious injuries.
Seven RCMP vehicles were also struck and sustained damage.
Police said the shooter refused to surrender, prompting the use of tear gas.
A man and woman exited the home and were both arrested, though the woman was later released, police said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RCMP lay attempted murder charge after standoff in Kingsclear First Nation
Community west of Fredericton has never experienced something like that, chief says
Police say a man is facing several charges following a lengthy standoff in Kingsclear First Nation on Tuesday afternoon that ended with the suspect being taken into custody.
A release said a 34-year-old man from the community, Michael Sabattis, appeared in Fredericton court on Wednesday and is charged with attempted murder, discharge of a firearm with intent, aggravated assault, assault and uttering threats.
Kingsclear First Nation, also known as Bilijk, is a drive of about 20 kilometres west of Fredericton.
Police put out the news release at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, nearly 24 hours after the incident ended.
CBC News made requests for an interview with RCMP on Tuesday evening and throughout Wednesday, but they were declined.
The release said no law enforcement officers were injured, but it did not mention Sabattis's condition.
"We've never obviously experienced anything like that with the active shooter or anything," Kingsclear Chief Gabriel Atwin said in an interview.
The RCMP "did a very professional job in making sure everyone was safe and also the safety of the individual that was apprehended," Atwin said.
He described it as a "tragic event" for the tight-knit community.
"Thankfully everyone's OK, and we'll have to get on the road to healing our community."
CBC
News observed a burned-down house at the site of the incident the
following day, but RCMP did not make any mention of the fire in their
news release. (Silas Brown/CBC)
CBC News observed a burned-down house at the scene on Wednesday, but the release did not mention any fire. RCMP did not immediately respond to a request seeking clarification about the fire.
Police said they responded to an address on Tomahawk Avenue at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of an assault. Upon arrival, police found a man outside.
"The man threatened police before barricading himself inside of the residence with a weapon," the release said.
"The situation escalated a short time later when the man began firing dozens of gunshots at police through the windows of the residence."
Bilijk Chief says First Nation shaken after tear gas, shootingThe release said police never returned fire, and seven RCMP vehicles were struck and sustained damage. The release included several photos of gunshot damage to police vehicles.
"A member of the RCMP emergency response team was also struck in the head by a bullet; fortunately, the member was wearing a ballistic helmet and did not sustain any serious injuries," the release said.
Crisis negotiators attempted to negotiate with the man in the house, the release said, but he refused to surrender. Tear gas was eventually deployed. A man and woman emerged and both were arrested. The release does not say how long the standoff lasted, but RCMP put out a statement at 7:40 p.m.. on Tuesday advising the "police operation" in Kingsclear had ended.
The man remains in custody, but the woman was released.
Police said the incident did not meet criteria for an alert ready notice but did not explain why. Nearby residences were occupied during the standoff, the release said.
Atwin confirmed that a house belonging to two elders did burn down, and that the community will look at rebuilding for them. The First Nation's mental health crisis team is visiting homes in the community to check on people, he added.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Silas Brown
34-year-old man charged with attempted murder, several other charges
April 16, 2025
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Kingsclear First Nation, New Brunswick
From: New Brunswick RCMP
On July 4, 2025, 15 additional charges of attempted murder and discharging a firearm at police were laid against Michael Christopher Sabattis in Fredericton Provincial Court. He was remanded into custody and will reappear in court on July 25, 2025, to set dates for a preliminary trial.
A 34-year-old man from Kingsclear First Nation, N.B., has been charged with attempted murder following a significant incident in the community.
On April 15, 2025, at approximately 12:35 p.m., members of the Keswick RCMP detachment responded to a report of an assault at a residence on Tomahawk Avenue on Kingsclear First Nation. When members arrived at the scene they located the suspect, a 34-year-old man who was known to police, outside of the residence. The man threatened police before barricading himself inside of the residence with a weapon.
Several RCMP specialized policing services including the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, Crisis Negotiation Team, and Explosive Disposal Unit, as well as the Fredericton Police Force Emergency Response Team attended the scene and set up containment.
The situation escalated a short time later when the man began firing dozens of gunshots at police through the windows of the residence. Police did not return fire at any point during the incident. Seven RCMP vehicles including the Tactical Armoured Vehicle were struck and sustained significant damages. A member of the RCMP Emergency Response team was also struck in the head by a bullet; fortunately, the member was wearing a ballistic helmet and did not sustain any serious injuries.
Crisis negotiators attempted to negotiate with the man, but he refused to surrender. Police deployed CS gas (tear gas) into the residence which forced the 34-year-old man and a second individual, a 50-year-old woman, to exit. Both individuals were arrested.
The 50-year-old woman was later released from custody.
On April 16, Michael Sabattis appeared in Fredericton Provincial Court and was charged with:
- Attempted murder
- Discharge of a firearm with intent
- Aggravated assault
- Assault
- Uttering threats
He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court at a later date.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation that had the potential to result in significant injuries and even loss of life,” said Sgt. Stephane Esculier of the West District RCMP. “The phenomenal police work executed by our general duty members, specialized units and the Fredericton Police Force, allowed this situation to come to a successful resolution with no physical injuries sustained by frontline officers.”
At the time, the incident did not meet the criteria for an Alert Ready. As a safety precaution, several nearby residences were evacuated while the remainder of residents in the community were advised to shelter in place, and the public was asked to avoid the area.
Members of the Upper Kingsclear Fire Department and the Department of Justice and Public Safety also attended the scene.
The investigation is ongoing.
Contacts
Oromocto Detachment
West District RCMP
rcmpnb.grcnb@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
506-357-4300
Bilijk man now accused of trying to kill 15 cops
RCMP lays new charges accusing Michael Christopher Sabattis, 34, of additional counts of attempted murder, discharging firearm at police with intent to wound/maim them April 15
Much to the surprise of the defence, the RCMP laid a new information against a Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation man Friday, replacing a single count of attempted murder of three Mounties with 15 counts.
Michael Christopher Sabattis, 34, of Tomahawk Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court in person and in custody Friday, scheduled to elect mode of trial on five indictable charges.
He was accused of attempting to murder of RCMP Const. Nicholas Gilfillan, Cpl. Jeremy Hardy and Const. Pierre-Alexandre Roy by shooting a firearm at them; discharging a firearm with the intent to wound, maim or otherwise endanger them; assaulting Brian Sabattis and thereby wounding him or endangering his life; assaulting Tammy Sabattis; and uttering threats to RCMP officers to cause them death and/or bodily harm.
The charges stem from a dangerous standoff at a Bilijk First Nation home the afternoon and evening of April 15 during which the RCMP reported that officers, including members of the emergency response team, were fired upon.
Accused shooter now faces 15 charges of attempting to murder cops
A 34-year-old Kingsclear (Bileijk) First Nation man who had been charged with the attempted murder of an RCMP officer after a reported shootout in the community now faces 14 more counts of attempting to kill police officers.
The updated charges against Michael Sabattis were laid in a Fredericton court on Friday.
He’s now accused of attempting to murder Const. Nicholas Gilfillan, Cpl. Jeremy Hardy, Const. Pierre-Alexandre Roy, Const. Nicholas Hatt, Const. Andrew Charles Williams, Const. Samuel Phaneuf, Corp. Jonathan Cook, Staff Sgt. Luc Samson, Const. Nicolas Vu, Const. Maximilien Monfette-Theoret, Const. Stephane Blinn, Sgt. Mike Litalien, Const. Nicholas Dorrington, Const. Tyler Piercy, and Const. Jamie Hawkins by shooting at them. He’s also charged with shooting at each officer with attempt to wound, maim or disfigure.
Sabattis also faces charges of threats to police, a threat to cause the death or bodily harm of Const. Alex Garault, an aggravated assault on Brian Sabattis and an assault on Tammy Sabattis.
There’s also an additional new count of uttering threats to Const. Alex Garault to cause him death and/or bodily harm April 15 as well.
Sabattis was arrested on April 15 when RCMP officers said they responded to a reported assault at a residence on Tomahawk Avenue in Bileijk, just west of Fredericton. RCMP officers said the suspect had barricaded himself inside the house with a weapon.
Police said he fired dozens of gunshots from the inside the house, striking an officer in the head, and several RCMP vehicles. The officer didn’t suffer any major injuries as he was wearing a ballistic helmet, according to RCMP.
Police said Sabattis refused to surrender to crisis negotiators so they deployed tear gas, forcing him and a 50-year-old woman out of the house. The woman, who was also initially arrested, was later released.
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