The RCMP have released details on a shooting and home invasion in Dunville on Tibb’s Eve that has resulted in attempted murder charges against two men.
Police were called to a home in Thorne’s Trailer Park in Dunville around 11:15 p.m. on the evening of December 23. Police say 35-year-old Shane Cochrane and 40-year-old Shane Spurvey—both from Dunville—had apparently forced their way into the home armed with a firearm and a baseball bat.
Two people—a man and a woman—were home at the time. Both were assaulted and the man was shot. The shooting victim was taken to hospital in St. John’s and is recovering from his injuries.
Spurvey and Cochrane were located and arrested at homes in Dunville on Christmas Eve. According to police Spurvey was arrested without incident at a home on Clarke’s Hill, while Cochrane, who had barricaded himself in a home on Ville Marie Drive, was arrested later in the day. As part of the ongoing investigation, police searched a home on Fort Louis Road in Jerseyside and found a number of items which had been stolen from a home in Freshwater between December 17 and the 20.
Spurvey and Cochrane are both facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and break and enter. Meanwhile, Cochrane is charged with numerous firearms-related offences including careless use of a firearm, pointing a firearm, and possession of a firearm while prohibited.
The mayor of Placentia says there’s no question that residents are living in fear after a noticeable increase in crime and drug use in the area over the past six months. Keith Pearson has met with the minister of justice and the RCMP to see what can be done to address the issue.
RCMP were out in force Christmas weekend, telling people on Ville Marie Drive in Dunville to stay in their homes. The stand-off lasted for about 12 hours, resulting in the arrest of two people after another man was shot.
Mayor Pearson says police are doing everything they can to keep the town safe but he’d like to have a public forum with police and residents in attendance “and allow residents to ask questions and find out if there’s anything they can do. Right now, people are afraid and they don’t know where to turn.”
