Lac La Biche RCMP recover prohibited firearm at Kikino Rodeo

On August 17, the Lac La Biche RCMP responded to a report of suspicious behavior at the Kikino Rodeo near the Slave Birch Resort, leading to the recovery of a prohibited firearm and the arrest of a 20-year-old male suspect.  

At approximately 4:15 p.m., officers received reports from witnesses describing a male suspect waving a firearm and causing a disturbance among rodeo attendees. The situation incited fear at the event, prompting a swift response from the Lac La Biche RCMP, who coordinated with the RCMP’s Real-Time Operations Centre to deploy police resources to the scene.  

Upon arrival at the Kikino Rodeo grounds, officers spoke with cooperative witnesses and attendees who provided a detailed description of the suspect and reported seeing a sawed-off shotgun displayed in a dangerous manner. Acting on this information, the RCMP located and arrested the suspect, later identified as Keith Faithful, a resident of Goodfish Lake, without further incident.  

Despite the initial arrest, no firearm was recovered at the scene. However, the investigation continued, and officers obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s mobile home and vehicle. During the search, police recovered a prohibited .22 calibre sawed-off shotgun along with ammunition.  

As a result, Faithful faces several charges under the Criminal Code of Canada. These include possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a restricted or prohibited weapon.  

The suspect, known to police, was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released from custody with conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 16, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lac La Biche.  

The Lac La Biche RCMP expressed gratitude to the public and the Kikino Rodeo committee for their vigilance in reporting the suspicious behavior, which contributed to the successful recovery of an unlawful firearm and ensured the safety of the rodeo attendees.  

Anyone with further information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Lac La Biche RCMP at 780-404-2500 or their local police. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stopper at 1-800-222-8477.