Convicted murderer William Bicknell is facing more charges Friday. Police have released new images of weapons and ammunition they seized from Bicknell's vehicle following a shootout with police near Sexsmith, Alta. last weekend.
"These are all high powered weapons, rifles, shotguns," said Chief Superintendent Marianne Ryan, criminal operations officer of "K" Division RCMP.
Bicknell failed to make an appearance in Fort Saskatchewan court on Thursday. He was scheduled in court to face several charges in connection to his escape from police custody.
RCMP were not expecting him to make his court date as he remains in hospital recovering from undetermined injuries sustained during a shootout involving three RCMP officers. RCMP say Bicknell was shot at least once, but won't say where bullets struck.
Police say one officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.
"During the pursuit Mr. Bicknell allegedly stopped his vehicle and fired multiple shots at police vehicles. Police in return exchanged gunfire with Mr. Bicknell," said Sgt. Tim Taniguchi with RCMP "K" Division.
Police say one of the guns allegedly used by Bicknell shot out the window of a police vehicle. RCMP say that's when one of their members was struck in the head. Mounties aren't sure if the officer was hit by a bullet or broken glass, but he is now recovering.
Bicknell now faces 22 additional charges, which include:
- Break and enter a dwelling house
- Unlawful confinement
- Unlawful confinement with a firearm
- Point a firearm
- Robbery with a firearm
- Five counts of discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life
- Flight from peace officer
- Three counts of attempted murder
- Two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon
- And six counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon
Bicknell was finally captured near Sexsmith Saturday night. Police allege Bicknell entered an elderly woman's residence north of Sexsmith around 7:30 a.m. Saturday. CTV News was told the woman was held hostage until she managed to escape around 4 p.m. and alert authorities.
"We're very thankful for the courage they demonstrated," said Ryan.
Bicknell was serving a life sentence for the second-degree murder of a B.C. woman. He had been at large since police say he overpowered a guard while on an escorted pass from the Drumheller Correctional Facility on March 10th.
He is also accused of holding a man hostage for 10 hours in Vegreville last Thursday. The farm where a 72-year-old man was held hostage at gunpoint is located a few kilometres from where Bicknell grew up.
Bicknell is scheduled to appear in court next week in Vegreville, but RCMP don't expect Bicknell to appear in person. His court date in relation to the 22 new charges is pending.
With files from Sean Amato
