Alleged Lethbridge hostage taker now also faces firearm charges

UPDATE: On Sept. 5, 2023, Courtney Louise Shaw was handed a 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to 11 offences, including aggravated assault, taking a hostage, unlawful confinement and pointing a firearm.

A 40-year-old woman charged with attempted murder in July after a staff member was held hostage at a non-profit organization in Lethbridge, Alta., now faces firearm charges as well, police said Wednesday.

On July 15, Courtney Louise Shaw of Lethbridge was charged with one count of attempted murder along with multiple other counts, including using an imitation firearm while committing an offence.

The Lethbridge Police Service said in a release it has now determined that an airsoft handgun seized at the scene meets the definition of a firearm based on how fast it releases ammunition.

Charges against Shaw have been amended to include counts of pointing a firearm and assault with a firearm.

Police said four employees were working at Lethbridge Legal Guidance on July 14 when a woman entered and asked to speak to a specific lawyer.

When she was told the lawyer was not available, she asked to use the washroom, police said. After approximately 10 minutes, she came out and pointed a black handgun at two of the employees and threatened to kill them, according to police.

The woman then allegedly produced a knife and threatened to kill the employees if they did not get the specific lawyer on the phone.

The woman then forced a 54-year-old woman into an office and closed the door, after which the remaining three employees escaped, police said. 

The police tactical team and crisis negotiators were deployed. Police said they negotiated with the subject for around an hour. The tactical team then entered the building, where they found the subject holding a knife to herself, according to the release.

The subject was taken into custody and treated on scene, later receiving stitches for lacerations to her hand.

Police said the victim was stabbed in the neck multiple times. She was taken to hospital and stabilized before undergoing surgery. She has since been released and is recovering, police said Wednesday.

Shaw has been charged with the following: 

• Attempted murder.
• Aggravated assault.
• Taking a hostage.
• Assault with a weapon (knife).
• Two counts of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.
• Four counts of unlawful confinement.
• Four counts of uttering threats.
• Four counts of pointing a firearm.
• Four counts of assault with a weapon (firearm).

Shaw's next scheduled court appearance is Sept. 1.