Two charged with attempted murder, third suspect on the run after Moncton crossbow incident

Two men from Nova Scotia have been charged with attempted murder, and a third suspect is still on the run, after a man was shot with a crossbow in Moncton, N.B., last week.

Codiac Regional RCMP received a report about the incident around 3:45 a.m. Friday.

When officers arrived on scene, police say three suspects tried to flee in a pickup truck, so the officers initiated a pursuit.

The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

“The suspects fled toward Memramcook and came to a stop near a wooded area after a tire deflation device was successfully deployed by police,” said the RCMP in a news release Tuesday.

Police arrested the driver, a 39-year-old Nova Scotia man, but the other two suspects fled on foot.

The RCMP’s Police Dog Services helped officers track the second suspect, who was arrested. They could not locate the third suspect.

After the arrests, police say officers searched the pickup truck and seized a crossbow.

The RCMP also conducted an operation in connection with the investigation on Route 106 between Dieppe and Memramcook on Friday. An RCMP helicopter, Emergency Response Team and drone operator assisted in the operation.

“Additional evidence was gathered as a result of the operation, which concluded at approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 17,” said the RCMP.

Allistair Hemphill, 39, has been charged with the following offences:

• attempted murder
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• flight from police involving a pursuit
• driving while prohibited
• failure to comply with a probation order

Christoher Mackay, 38, has also been charged with attempted murder.

Hemphill and Mackay both appeared in Moncton provincial court later that day and returned to court on Tuesday. They were both remanded into custody.

Hemphill is due back in court on April 30 while Mackay will return to court on May 5.

Police are still searching for the third suspect, but don’t believe the public is at risk. They did not release a description.

Codiac Regional RCMP is asking anyone with information to call 506-857-2400 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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