3 employees of Trail, B.C., fire department charged with assaulting homeless man

Three men who work for the Trail, B.C., fire department are facing charges after allegedly assaulting a homeless man in April.

Sgt. Mike Wicentowich with Trail RCMP confirmed the charges were laid Wednesday in Rossland provincial court.

He said the three men knew the victim and that the alleged attack likely stemmed from a previous altercation.

The possible motivations behind the attack will be presented in court at a future hearing.

Wicentowich said the three men are employed by Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue.

“This is in no way a reflection of the fire department but does impact them,” said Wicentowich.

Gregory Ferraby, Richard Morris and Wesley Parsons are each charged with one count of assault.

CBC News has reached out to Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue for comment.

Wicentowich said the victim, who lives in his vehicle, is a 49-year-old Trail man.

“The man was allegedly punched in the head several times, may have lost consciousness, and had a serious shoulder injury,” RCMP said in a statement.

The alleged assault happened in the alley of the 900 block of Spokane Street.