Man shot by rural landowner near Okotoks wanted by police on multiple charges

The man at the centre of a prominent lawsuit is being sought on a number of charges, police said Thursday.

Ryan Watson, 43, has seen warrants issued on charges of possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and failing to attend court.

Watson is the same individual involved in an incident that took place on a rural property in February 2018. 

Police were called to a property near Okotoks after a rural homeowner fired shots after seeing two individuals rummaging through his vehicles. 

Watson, one of those two individuals, was shot in the arm and was charged with trespassing, mischief and theft.

In the wake of the shooting, Watson sued the homeowner, Edouard Maurice, for $100,000 for "emotional upset, severe fatigue and insomnia." He also claimed special damages including loss of income.

That lawsuit was dropped last week.

• 'I stood up for … my rights against criminals on my property': Lawsuit dropped against landowner

In October, Maurice filed a statement of defence against Watson's claim and a counterclaim of $150,000.

Watson is described as being approximately five foot seven inches tall, 150 pounds with brown hair, blue eyes and a large surgery scar on his right forearm.

Rural landowners to keep advocating for property rights despite end of legal woes

5 years ago

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Edouard Maurice — who along with his wife, Jessica, became a lightning rod for the debate over property rights — learned Thursday he's no longer being sued by a trespasser he shot, so has also dropped his countersuit.

Anyone with information as to Watson's whereabouts is asked to call Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers.