Two people have been charged in connection with an attempted arson at a rural residence south of Strathmore in mid-September.
On Sept. 17, Strathmore RCMP, Calgary RCMP, along with the rural fire department and fire investigator attended a home where suspects attempted to light a fire, using gasoline and propane tanks.
Occupants of the home were able to fight the fire until emergency crews arrived at the scene.
The fire was extinguished without significant damage to the structure or any physical injuries to the occupants of the house.
Through a three-month-long investigation, police were able to gather enough evidence that resulted in the arrest of 34 year old Kimberly Dawn Perry of Strathmore and 48 year old Keith Jack Red Gun from the Siksika Nation.
Both have been charged under Section 433 of the Criminal Code for Arson with Disregard for Human Life, a very serious offense according Strathmore RCMP Sgt. Kevin Reilly.
“I would put this in the top five per cent of serious offenses,” said Reilly. “This is a big one.”
Police believe that this was a targeted attack on the victims.
“The victims and the offenders are known to one another,” said Reilly.
Perry and Red Gun will appear in Calgary Court for bail hearings via closed circuit television from a remand centre.
The date of their bail hearings was not known at press time.
If you have any information on an unsolved crime, contact your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
