Deadly situation diffused by RCMP
By Nelson Daily Staff
A Salmo situation that could have been bloody ended without incident Saturday night.
On the evening of Jan. 8 Salmo RCMP received a complaint of threats being made to a local businessman.
After obtaining further information from the complainant, two RCMP officers — one from Salmo and the second from Trail Detachment — attended a residence on Nystrom Road in Salmo.
The suspect in this matter was known to police and has a history of emotional health issues.
Upon attendance and announcement by police, the suspect was observed through a window to retrieve and conceal an edged weapon. The suspect then invited the officers to enter the residence.
“The attending members decided not to enter the residence and moved away,” said Cpl. Barry Graham of the Salmo RCMP.
The two members called for additional backup officers, including the police dog handler, and waited nearby. The suspect remained inside the residence refusing to come out.
Shortly following the arrival of the back-up members, police entered the residence and the suspect was arrested without incident. A folding 10-inch saw blade was seized by police.
“The officers involved handled the situation in a professional and safe manner, avoiding potential injury or harm to both the suspect and police,” said Stff. Sgt. Dan Seibel of the Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment.
Heath Steninger, 28, of Salmo appeared in Provincial Court in Nelson on Jan. 10 facing criminal charges of uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Steninger was later released from Nelson Court on a recognizance of bail with conditions to keep the peace, not possess weapons and no contact with the victim or to attend the victim’s place of employment.
The next appearance date for Steninger is not known at this time.
