Police say man threatened to shoot someone in Calgary grocery store in fight over U.S. tariffs

“This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have turned out much worse than it did,” Staff Sgt. Joe Hebert said in a news release.

The incident happened just after noon on Sept. 3 at the Woodbine Safeway located at 2525 Woodview Dr. S.W.

Police say a man was shopping with his wife and child, when they were approached by a 49-year-old man they didn’t know, making comments about tariffs.

The suspect became visibly agitated and started shouting anti-Canadian and pro-American remarks, police said.

From there, the situation escalated, with police alleging the suspect threatened to go get a shotgun and shoot the man in front of his wife and child.

Police seized magazines, ammunition and a BB gun from the suspect’s home. The 49-year-old man faces a number of charges, including uttering threats. (Calgary Police Service)

Employees intervened, police were notified, and the man was eventually escorted from the store.

Police found him at his home in the neighbouring community of Woodlands, in the 400 block of Woodside Road S.W., after hearing reports from witnesses. They spotted a man with a gun, and officers heard a gunshot in the home, but no one was hurt.

Police arrested the suspect within an hour from the time it’s said he first approached the family.

Police seized two firearms from the home, including a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, as well as ammunition and a BB gun.

The man faces several charges, including uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, possession of an unlicensed weapon and careless storage of a firearm.

He’s due in court on Sept. 17.