Northern Ont. suspect charged with murder, attempted murder in shooting of police officer
A northern Ontario suspect who was the subject of an intense manhunt has been charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder.
Lucas MacDonald, 43, was arrested Wednesday following a shootout with Ontario Provincial Police. One officer was shot and wounded during the operation.
Lucas MacDonald, 43, was arrested June 12 following a shootout with Ontario Provincial Police. One officer was shot and wounded during the operation. (OPP photo)- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Five police fired at MacDonald during Wednesday’s arrest in the area of Night Hawk Lake, east of Timmins. MacDonald was left with minor injuries.
He had been wanted for questioning since late May in the homicide of 30-year-old Marcel Thoma from Petawawa.
Thoma was shot to death and his remains were found in a wooded area in Egan Township, near Shillington, on May 23.
Police have been searching for MacDonald since then, warning the public not to approach him should they see him and call police instead.
A major operation Wednesday closed nearby Kettle Lakes Provincial Park. Police also put up wanted posters along Highway 101 between Shillington and Municipal Road.
MacDonald was charged with first-degree murder in Thoma’s death and attempted murder using a firearm in the shooting of the OPP officer.
Marcel Thoma, 30, was found shot to death in woods in Egan Township. (Facebook)
The OPP said he remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Timmins on Friday.
Earlier Thursday, the Special Investigations Unit said it invoked its mandate in the case because police fired their guns at MacDonald while trying to arrest him on Moose Island on Night Hawk Lake.
Exchange of gunfire
In a news release, the SIU said MacDonald was located "and at some point, there was an exchange of gunfire."
"Five officers discharged their firearms, but the man did not suffer any serious injury," the SIU said.
"One officer was struck. The man was arrested."
Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case, the SIU said.
"At this time, five subject officials, three witness officials and one civilian employee have been designated."
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about the investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Justin Trudeau's set to go after the Liberals pick his replacement, what now?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announcing Monday that he intends to resign as Liberal leader and prime minister as soon as his party names his replacement, has set a series of political machinations in motion.
Justin Trudeau steps down as Liberal leader. Who are the top contenders to replace him?
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as Liberal party leader, several well-known political faces may be waiting in the wings for their opportunity to take his place.
Canada could see a wave of mortgage renewals in 2025. Here is how some homeowners plan to navigate the payment shock.
At least 1.2 million Canadians are facing a mortgage renewal in 2025, and 85 per cent of those existing home loans were contracted when the Bank of Canada’s interest rate was at or below one per cent. Here's how some homeowners are planning to navigate the increased payments.
'Together, what a great nation it would be': Donald Trump, Elon Musk react to Justin Trudeau's resignation
Amid news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as leader of the Liberal party on Monday morning, reactions from prominent figures began piling in.
Powerful Tibet earthquake kills nearly 100, rattles Nepal
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet's holiest cities on Tuesday, killing at least 95 people and collapsing hundreds of houses, Chinese authorities said.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck seek judge's approval of divorce settlement
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have settled their divorce and are asking a judge to finalize their breakup.
Scottie Scheffler withdraws from another tournament, hopes to play at Pebble Beach
Scottie Scheffler withdrew from The American Express on Monday, saying his right hand has not fully recovered from minor surgery to repair a glass puncture over Christmas.
Trump's inauguration coincides with an unprecedented string of high-stakes security events in D.C.
The last time a president was inaugurated, there was a global pandemic and a violent siege at the very spot at the U.S. Capitol where the ceremony takes place. This time, the event is happening as part of an unprecedented string of high-stakes security events in the nation's capital.
France marks 10 years since deadly Charlie Hebdo attacks
A decade after gunmen stormed the offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in a deadly assault that shook France to its core and ignited a global outcry in defense of freedom of speech, the nation paused on Tuesday to honor the victims and renew its resolve to fight for liberty and democracy.
Barrie
-
Former Snowbirds pilot charged with sexual assault testifies in Barrie court
A former Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot accused of forcing himself on a colleague before last summer’s airshow in Barrie took the stand to clear his name in court on Monday.
-
Man holding dog in his arms arrested for impaired driving
A tipster called police about a strange scene on a road in Amaranth Twp. January 2.
-
Collision involving snowmobile at Hwy 12 crossing under investigation
Provincial police are investigating a collision involving a snowmobile in Midland.
Toronto
-
Canada could see a wave of mortgage renewals in 2025. Here is how some homeowners plan to navigate the payment shock.
At least 1.2 million Canadians are facing a mortgage renewal in 2025, and 85 per cent of those existing home loans were contracted when the Bank of Canada’s interest rate was at or below one per cent. Here's how some homeowners are planning to navigate the increased payments.
-
'China is the problem': Ford says now is not the time for U.S. to 'disrupt' trade with higher tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Canada is not to blame for America’s economic woes and instead is pointing the finger at China for shipping and distributing “cheap parts” through Mexico.
-
Justin Trudeau's set to go after the Liberals pick his replacement, what now?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announcing Monday that he intends to resign as Liberal leader and prime minister as soon as his party names his replacement, has set a series of political machinations in motion.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa mayor says prorogation of parliament gives city time to work with MPs on transit funding request
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he remains optimistic that the City of Ottawa will eventually get the transit funding it has requested from the federal government, despite Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Parliament has been prorogued and that he intends to step aside as Liberal leader and prime minister.
-
Ottawa's new north-south O-Train opens to the public
A large crowd gathered at Bayview Station just before 6 a.m. for a chance to be the first person to ride on the new north-south Line 2 Monday morning. The new north-south Line 2 and Line 4 runs from Bayview Station to Riverside South, with a link to the Ottawa International Airport.
-
Wind chill could make it feel like -21 in Ottawa Tuesday
Frigid winter temperatures will continue across the nation's capital on Tuesday.
Kitchener
-
Uncertainty surrounds college semester in Ontario as strike deadline looms
Students at Ontario’s 24 public colleges are beginning their winter semester under the cloud of a potential strike.
-
Tenants group demands action as high rents persist despite rising vacancies
According to the Fall 2024 Rental Market Report from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC,) the vacancy rate in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo has reached its highest level since 1993.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
London
-
Local MLB prospects Dylan O'Rae and Adam Hall preparing for spring training
Milwaukee Brewers prospects Dylan O’Rae and Adam Hall are getting in daily workouts at Centrefield Sports (CFS) in London, Ont. as they prepare for the warm Arizona sun next month.
-
New lawn signs to educate and reduce conflict over naturalized front yards in London
An advisory committee at city hall is offering new signs meant to end turf wars between London homeowners with naturalized yards and those with manicured lawns.
-
The January deep freeze is here - temperatures set to hold steady and cold
We’re in for a brisk start to the week, set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Windsor
-
Committee votes to keep entire Roseland Golf Course heritage designation
A proposal to remove the heritage designation from parts of the Roseland Golf Course received heavy scrutiny on Monday night from area residents.
-
Lakeshore dog owners no longer need to buy annual dog tags
The Municipality of Lakeshore has made the decision to stop its annual dog tag program, effective as of Jan. 1.
-
OHL recognizes two Windsor Spitfires
Two Windsor Spitfires are being recognized by the Ontario Hockey League this week.
Montreal
-
Health authorities advise caution as flu season intensifies
Quebec's Health and Social Service Ministry says the influenza season is intensifying while cases of the common cold are stabilizing. However, the situation could change rapidly as students gradually return to school this week.
-
'It was the right decision': Quebec politicians, residents react to Trudeau resignation
Elected officials in Quebec were quick to react to the major announcement in Ottawa Monday about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the path forward for the federal Liberal Party.
-
After watching brother Cole win gold, Lane Hutson puts on show for Canadiens
Lane Hutson landed in Montreal after a long Canadiens road trip Sunday afternoon and jumped in a car to Ottawa, hoping to watch his younger brother, Cole, win world junior gold.
Winnipeg
-
'Different life to the party': Manitoba weighs in on Trudeau’s resignation
Manitobans are reacting to Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal leader and his decision to prorogue to Parliament until March to allow for a leadership race.
-
Injunction extended against protesters in Lemay Forest
A court-ordered injunction against a group protesting the clearing of a Winnipeg forest will remain in place.
-
Man charged with voyeurism at Winnipeg fitness facility
A 26-year-old man has been charged with voyeurism after he allegedly snapped photos of a child undressing in a change room at a Winnipeg fitness facility.
Atlantic
-
Six Maritimers killed by domestic violence in three months, raising urgent calls for action
Six lives have been lost to domestic violence across the Maritimes in the past three months, sparking renewed calls for intervention and preventive measures.
-
Names of double homicide victims in Chipman, N.B., released by police
Police in New Brunswick have released the names of two people who were killed in Chipman, N.B., late last year.
-
Suspicious death in Bible Hill under investigation: N.S. RCMP
The Nova Scotia RCMP is investigating a suspicious sudden death in Bible Hill, N.S.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
-
Part of street washed away and state of emergency declared in N.L. town after storm
Damaging winds and pounding surf that washed away part of a street in a small northeastern town in Newfoundland on Sunday triggered a state of emergency in the coastal community.
-
Newfoundland residents seek answers, assurance as Quebec energy deal heads for debate
About 50 people gathered in a St. John's, N.L., gymnasium on a recent rainy night to seek answers about a massive energy deal with Hydro-Quebec trumpeted by the Newfoundland and Labrador government as a new chapter in the province's history.
Calgary
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Calgary's lone Liberal MP thanks Trudeau, but says it was time for him to go
Justin Trudeau's announcement on Monday that he intends to resign as prime minister and Liberal leader was needed 'to move our country forward,' says Calgary's only Liberal MP.
-
Alberta Energy Regulator lacks evidence for tailings spill cleanup claims: ecologist's study
A new analysis of a decade's worth of data kept by Alberta's oil and gas regulator suggests the agency has made unsubstantiated claims about the success of oilsands tailings spills cleanup.
Edmonton
-
Alberta faces potential short-term gain, long-term pain after Trudeau quits as prime minister
Justin Trudeau's resignation as Canada's prime minister and leader of the Liberal party should benefit the province in the short term, but long-term, the importance of free trade should be central to any Albertan or Canadian effort to sway U.S. opinion with the spectre of potentially crushing tariffs looming, pundits say.
-
'We're in an epidemic': Deaths of two women in alleged domestic abuse cases raising red flags
Advocates for domestic abuse survivors say the deaths of an Edmonton woman and a Calgary mother and her father over the holidays shows domestic abuse is an “epidemic.”
-
Alberta Energy Regulator lacks evidence for tailings spill cleanup claims: ecologist's study
A new analysis of a decade's worth of data kept by Alberta's oil and gas regulator suggests the agency has made unsubstantiated claims about the success of oilsands tailings spills cleanup.
Regina
-
Trudeau's resignation could lead to changes for Sask/Ottawa relationship
Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party will be losing its most prominent "opponent" in the coming months – with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing he intends to step down pending a leadership race.
-
Sask. RCMP make arrest in suspicious death on Piapot First Nation
Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested and charged Robin Kaiswatum, 40, with second degree murder in connection to a death on Piapot First Nation.
-
Saskatchewan politicians react to Trudeau's resignation announcement
Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement on Monday, reaction from politicians around the world quickly began to circulate, including in Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon
-
Judge condemns murder trial delay, asks lawyers to 'turn around' and look at the public 'we serve'
A Saskatoon murder trial opened on Monday with the judge sharply criticizing the time it’s taken to get to trial.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born in a Saskatchewan barn, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
-
Province calling for prospective builders on new Sask. Polytech campus in Saskatoon
The province is putting out the call to prospective builders for a major project on the new Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus planned in Saskatoon.
Vancouver
-
B.C. politicians front and centre: Singh, Clark, others on federal stage
As the fallout from Justin Trudeau’s much-anticipated resignation announcement reverberates across Canada, at least two British Columbians will feature prominently in national politics in the coming weeks and months.
-
Hidden in plain sight: Human trafficking and the B.C. connection
You may not see it or even know it’s happening in your community. But it is an evil shrouded in the dark shadows of society, and even experts do not know its full scope.
-
January blues? B.C. Doctor shares winter mental health tips
A Lower Mainland family physician who specializes in mental health says January can be a challenging time, as people transition out of the busy holiday season and re-establish their routines.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. politicians front and centre: Singh, Clark, others on federal stage
As the fallout from Justin Trudeau’s much-anticipated resignation announcement reverberates across Canada, at least two British Columbians will feature prominently in national politics in the coming weeks and months.
-
CBSA says it acted in 'good faith' detaining solar panels in forced labour probe
The Canada Border Services Agency says it acted lawfully and in "good faith" when it detained nearly 50 containers of solar panels belonging to a Victoria, B.C., company over concerns they were made using forced labour.
-
Victoria police cleared of wrongdoing in crash that killed 24-year-old taxi driver
British Columbia's police oversight agency has cleared Victoria police officers of wrongdoing after an attempted traffic stop on a city street led to the death of an innocent man last year.
