Masset RCMP say a man is facing multiple recommended charges after an incident involving an axe left two people injured and the wider community deeply unsettled.
In a release issued Aug. 29, police said they were called to a home in Masset after reports of a man armed with an axe. Officers arrived to find two victims with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested at the scene and transported to hospital for treatment. He has since been released on strict conditions and is scheduled to appear in court in October. RCMP noted that the suspect was “quickly arrested” and that the two victims were treated locally. Police said they have recommended several charges to Crown counsel, including assault with a weapon, mischief and uttering threats.
The detachment acknowledged the anxiety the incident has caused in a small community, saying they “recognize that violent incidents like this cause significant concern, especially in close-knit communities” and that public safety remains their priority. Victim services have been engaged to support those affected.
The case has amplified long-standing concerns about safety in Masset. For some residents, it reflects a pattern of behaviour. In an interview with the Vancouver Sun, hereditary chief Darin Swanson described the accused as someone who has “terrorized the whole community” and said neighbours are “always on edge with this guy around.”
Swanson’s son, Jordan Holt, told the Sun he had been driving to the beach when the suspect allegedly approached him and swung a splitting maul, a heavy axe used for firewood. Holt said he narrowly avoided serious injury when the weapon struck the side of his truck. Both men later helped restrain the suspect until RCMP arrived.
Although police have recommended charges, Swanson told the Sun he was frustrated to learn the suspect had been released from hospital under conditions. He said his family is now on high alert and has taken extra security measures at home. Swanson also voiced concern that repeated calls for help in the past had not led to stronger action, warning that “without some kind of action, someone is going to be hurt or killed.”
Police say they understand the frustrations but stress that the justice system requires due process. Charges must be approved by Crown counsel before proceeding to court, and suspects are entitled to medical care and legal protections. “While we recognize that not every outcome may feel satisfactory in the moment, we remain committed to ensuring the safety of Masset and surrounding communities,” RCMP said.
The accused, who has not been publicly named because charges have not yet been approved, is scheduled to return to court this fall. In the meantime, residents say they remain watchful. RCMP encourage anyone with information about the case, or other safety concerns in the area, to contact the Masset detachment at 250-626-3991.
