A prolific offender is once again facing serious charges – this time for an incident with a firearm in Tsawwassen.
Zachery Frederick Rider, 42-years-old, of no fixed address, has been charged with: carry, use, or threaten to use a weapon or an imitation weapon, use of an imitation firearm while committing the indictable offense of assault, possess weapon for a dangerous purpose, utter threats to cause death or bodily harm and resist or willfully obstruct a police officer.
Rider remains in custody with his next court appearance scheduled for this afternoon (Friday) in Surrey provincial court.
Rider has 39 previous convictions, including multiple assaults and one conviction for manslaughter in 2018.
The recent arrest and charges relate to an incident on Oct. 11 at approx. 9:30 p.m. when Delta Police were called regarding a male trying to stop traffic in the 5800 block of 16th Ave. in Tsawwassen.
“The complainant indicated that the male was acting erratically and was concerned for the male's well-being,” said A/Insp. James Sandberg. “A second complainant contacted police reporting that the male pointed something at her, similar to how a person would point a firearm. A third caller contacted 911 and reported that the male had a handgun.
“In total, seven complainants called the police to report this male in possession of a firearm, pointing the firearm, stopping traffic, and threatening and confronting people.”
Sandberg said officers located the male and attempted to de-escalate the situation to take him into custody; however, the male was not cooperative, and a 40mm less-lethal impact round was deployed striking the male in the leg. The male proceeded to comply with the officer’s instruction and was taken into custody without further incident. A replica handgun was recovered at the arrest scene.
