Photo courtesy RCMP

By Caden Fanshaw

HOUSTON

‘We will find out who did this’: Suspects still at large following Houston attack

Feb 18, 2022 | 4:22 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Police are still on the hunt for the attackers responsible for the attack on Coastal GasLink property and on Mounties themselves early Thursday morning.

RCMP Chief Superintendent Warren Brown, North District Commander, said police do have some leads and expect to have more information soon with the investigation still in its early stages.

“By no means do we assume any of these individuals are intelligent,” said Brown. “We will find out who did this.”

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RCMP said there are over a million dollars in damages to equipment, buildings, and the Coastal GasLink (CGL) drill site.

Elected officials of all levels of government were quick to condemn the attack.

MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley Taylor Bachrach said he was thinking of the community put on edge by such a horrific attack, condemning the violence.

The attack happened early Thursday morning when 20 or more attackers came out of the woods 63 km down the Marten Forest Service Road, in addition to several attacks on RCMP vehicles along the Morice River Forest Service Road according to police.

It was reported approximately 20 people, some armed with axes, were attacking security guards and smashing their vehicle windows. It was initially reported that some CGL employees were trapped, but all had managed to safely leave the area.

Upon police attendance at the 41 km mark, the roadway had been blocked with downed trees, tar-covered stumps, wire, boards with spikes in them, and fires had been lit throughout the debris. As police worked their way through the debris and traps, several people threw smoke bombs and fire-lit sticks at the police, injuring one officer.

At the 43 km mark, an old school bus blocked the road. No one was located in this area and with the assistance of CGL, the bus was cleared from the road and police continued on.

When police arrived at the drill pad at the 63 km mark, they found significant damage had been done to heavy machinery, fencing, and portable buildings. Police did not encounter any further blockades or protestors as they made their way to the drill pad nor did they locate anyone at the site. The cost of damage done is extensive as seen in the photos.

The RCMP is appealing to the public for assistance about the incident. This type of criminal activity and level of violence impacts the entire community, so we are urging anyone that has any information about the individuals involved to contact the Houston RCMP at 250-845-2204.