Yarmouth County man charged in armed standoff sent for psychiatric assessment

By Tina Comeau

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

A 38-year-old man who was at the centre of an armed standoff in Tusket on Monday has been charged with five offences and has been sent for a psychiatric assessment to explore whether he is fit to stand trial or can be held criminally responsible.

Darren John Doucette hopped into court on his one leg Tuesday morning, one day following his arrest at his residence on the John White Road. The RCMP responded to the residence shortly after 3 a.m. Monday morning, following a 911 call complaining a person inside the house was shouting and being very loud.

The RCMP believed the man to be armed and the standoff lasted about five hours. He was hit with a stun gun at the scene, because police said he appeared to be concealing something when he finally exited the house and he would not, according to the RCMP, comply with commands.

Without knowing the full circumstances, some who know Doucette question why a stun gun was used, feeling the RCMP's overall response to the situation was heavy handed.

Doucette was checked over by paramedics – who had been on standby – at the scene and then transported by police to an RCMP cell.

He was in the custody of the sheriff’s department when he arrived for court Tuesday.

He has been charged with storing a rifle in an unsafe manner and using a firearm (a rifle) without reasonable precaution for the safety of others. He has been charged with criminal harassment by causing a woman, identified in court documents, to fear for her safety.

He is further charged with mischief by obstructing, interrupting or interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of a property located at 48 John White Road.

And Doucette is charged with resisting Constable Francois Levesque and Corporal Rick Bushey by failing to adhere to lawful commands.

Doucette’s court appearance in provincial court on Tuesday morning had been listed for a bail hearing but his lawyer, Dell Wickens of Nova Scotia Legal Aid, requested the psychiatric assessment. Wickens asked for a ban on publication on the reason behind his request for the assessment.

Doucette is scheduled to return to provincial court on June 17.

The RCMP blocked off the John White Road to all traffic in the early morning hours of June 2 as they attempted to negotiate with a man inside a residence who police say had barricaded himself in the home and was refusing to come out. The man was alone.

The other side of the duplex was evacuated. Residents of nearby houses were advised to stay in their homes, with some people saying the RCMP advised that they stay in their basements. Sergeant Kevin Surette of the rural detachment said this precaution was taken in case any weapons were fired. Some neighbours said they weren't aware of any problems involving the man before.

An emergency response team from Halifax was brought to the scene during the standoff, along with RCMP negotiators.

The standoff ended around 8:30 a.m.