NDP MLA Billie Cross : To have a politician who is telling them they need to stand their ground and defend their property. Why would you want to give people this power? It's absurb. If they want to steal, let them .
Her comments were partly in response to: A 66-year-old rural Manitoba homeowner was arrested and faced criminal charges after confronting and firing a gun at a group of suspected thieves on his property in August 2026.
Incident Overview
- Location: Rural Municipality (RM) of Dufferin, south-central Manitoba.
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026 (RCMP reported on August 18, 2026).
- The Event: The 66-year-old homeowner was alerted by a motion-activated security camera late at night to four individuals transferring fuel from a portable container into vehicles.
- The Confrontation: The homeowner approached the group armed with a firearm and discharged shots toward two vehicles, which had been reported stolen from Watrous, Saskatchewan.
- The Suspects: Three suspects remained at the scene and were arrested by the RCMP (including Dylan Slaunwhite, Kenneth Schultz, and a 41-year-old female) facing charges such as theft, mischief, and trespassing. A fourth suspect fled in a stolen vehicle that was later recovered nearby in a canola field.
Homeowner's Charges
The property owner faces multiple firearm-related offenses, including counts of careless use, using a firearm in an offense, and reckless discharge.
Community and Official Response
- RCMP Stance: Police stress that defensive force must be lawful and proportionate, advising owners to contact authorities rather than resort to firearms.
- Local Reaction: Residents expressed frustration over chronic rural crime, leading to mixed public discussions regarding property defense versus legal limits.
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