On March 26 at approximately 8 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to the area of 20^th Street NE and 7^th Avenue NE following a report of a male acting reckless and confronting bystanders in the parking lot of a strip mall. The man had also reportedly confronted a customer inside the store in a threatening manner and then followed that person out into the parking lot where he flashed his waistband area and displayed what officers later was confirmed to be a loaded sawed off 22-caliber rifle.

When officers arrived on scene, they located the suspect, took him into custody without incident and the firearm was seized from his waistband. Further investigation determined the suspect had also been reportedly driving recklessly in the area prior to this incident.

The man is held in custody and will appear for a Judicial Interim Release hearing to speak to the following charges:

• Possess weapon contrary to Order (suspect is on an active weapons Prohibition)
• Possess firearm in a vehicle
• Contravention of Firearms Regulations
• Knowingly possess a restricted/prohibited weapon
• Assault with a weapon
• Carry Concealed weapon
• Possess weapon dangerous to the public
• Possess loaded prohibited/restricted firearm
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

UPDATE: Barney Zacharias (age 23 years) has been remanded in custody and his next court appearance is scheduled April 4, 2023.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Ernie Fischhofer
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461