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| One of a number of photos taken by Coastal Gas Link related to an incident just after midnight on Thursday at Coastal Gas Link work camp (photo from CGL website) |
A troubling incident from an area of the Coastal Gas Link pipeline near Houston on Thursday just after midnight is currently the subject of an RCMP investigation.
The outline of events as provided by the RCMP was released through the Houston Detachment Website on Thursday afternoon.
Houston RCMP is presently investigating an incident where individuals allegedly engaged in a violent confrontation with employees of Coastal GasLink, and with attending police officers along the Morice River Forest Service Road near Houston, BC.
On Thursday, February 17, 2022, shortly after midnight, Houston RCMP was called to the Marten Forest Service Road (FSR) after Coastal Gas Link (CGL) security reported acts of violence at their work site. It was reported approximately 20 people, some armed with axes, were attacking security guards and smashing their vehicle windows.
It was initially reported that some CGL employees were trapped, but all had managed to safely leave the area.
Upon police attendance at the 41 km mark, the roadway had been blocked with downed trees, tar covered stumps, wire, boards with spikes in them, and fires had been lit throughout the debris. As police worked their way through the debris and traps, several people threw smoke bombs and fire lit sticks at the police, injuring one officer.
At the 43 km mark, an old school bus blocked the road. No one was located in this area and with the assistance of CGL, the bus was cleared from the road and police continued on. When police arrived at the drill pad at the 63 km mark, they found significant damage had been done to heavy machinery, fencing, and portable buildings.
Police did not encounter any further blockades or protestors as they made their way to the drill pad nor did they locate anyone at the site.
The release from the Houston detachment also includes a number of photos taken from the work camp location, as well as the road leading towards it, all of which you can review here.
The nature of the incident is one of concern for Chief Superintendent for the North District Warren Brown.
"This is a very troubling escalation in violent criminal activity that could have resulted in serious injury or death. This was a calculated and organized violent attack that left its victims shaken and a multimillion dollar path of destruction.
While we respect everyone’s right to peacefully protest in Canada, we cannot tolerate this type of extreme violence and intimidation. Our investigators will work tirelessly to identify the culprits and hold them accountable for their actions."
As they launch the investigation into the incident, the RCMP is appealing to the public for assistance, noting as to how this type of criminal activity and level of violence impacts the entire community.
Should anyone have any information related to the incident, they are asked to contact the Houston RCMP at 250-845-2204.
Also sharing some information on the incident has been Coast Gas Link, with a statement that provides the company's view of the situation and the dangers it presented to their employees, along with their review of the damage that their property faced.
The events near Houston on Thursday have given Skeena MLA Ellis Young cause to comment to the escalation towards violence that was seen.
The MLA used his social media streams to share his thoughts to the situation, a forum that has featured a range of comments towards the incident from those who follow his feed .
To this point, there has been no comment from Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen who represents the residents of the area in question.
Update: By mid afternoon Friday, the Stikine MLA had issues a short statement on the incident.
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General did issue a statement on Thursday evening, calling on all British Columbians to condemn the destructive attack.
“The B.C. Government emphatically condemns the violence and destruction perpetrated near the Morice River drill pad site off the Marten Forest Service Road.
The RCMP is conducting a full investigation into this egregious criminal activity that could have led to serious injury or loss of life. The police report indicates that the workers’ camp was attacked in the middle of the night by unknown assailants wielding axes.
There is no excuse for such violence and intimidation. All workers deserve to be protected from harassment and harm. This destructive attack should be condemned by all in British Columbia.”
So far today, there have been no further updates from the RCMP towards progress when it comes to the identification of potential suspects, or to inform the public if any arrests have been made related to the investigation.
Should there be any further notes on the case file now under investigation, the first word on them most likely will come by way of the Houston Detachment information stream available here.
Updates on investigation and notes related to the incident:
February 17/18
RCMP devote 40 investigators to attack at Coastal GasLink work site
Houston RCMP investigating attack on Coastal GasLink worksite allegedly involving 20 individuals
Coastal GasLink employees attacked on forest road near Houston, say police
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