Military member accused of ramming gates at Rideau Hall charged

OTTAWA — The Canadian Armed Forces member accused of storming the grounds of Rideau Hall with several weapons has now been charged with 22 offenses.

The charges laid against Corey Hurren, a 46-year-old man from Manitoba, are all related to firearms except for one, for uttering threats.

Hurren was arrested Thursday after allegedly ramming a truck through the gates of Rideau Hall.

Here is the list of charges against Corey Hurren, accused of storming the grounds of Rideau Hall with several weapons. Next court appearance July17 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/brSL9c2IE0

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) July 3, 2020

He been remanded in custody until July 17.

Hurren made his first court appearance by teleconference Friday, 30 hours after he was arrested by the RCMP less than 200 metres from the front door of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s current residence.

Police said Hurren had several weapons on him, including at least one gun.

RCMP also said he was loose on the grounds of Rideau Hall for 13 minutes before police saw him.

Officers spoke with him for more than an hour and a half before he was arrested.

The @CanadianForces has sent out a release about Corey Hurren’s service and his future in the military #cdnpoli #RideauHall pic.twitter.com/UASdgOqv7E

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) July 3, 2020

The charges against Hurren include two counts for possession of a restricted or prohibited gun, four counts for careless use, storage or handling of a firearm, and four counts for possessing a firearm for a dangerous purpose.

Assistant Crown Attorney Meaghan Cunningham said the Crown opposes releasing Hurren and agreed to the adjournment.

According to Canadian Armed Forces, Hurren enrolled in the Primary Reserve in April 1997, with the 10th Field Artillery Regiment in Regina, Sask.

He was released in October 2000 with the rank of corporal.

In 2019, says a release from the Armed Forces, he enrolled as a member of the Canadian Rangers, and currently belongs to the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.

However, the status of his service will be reviewed, says the Armed Forces.

RELATED: Suspect in Rideau Hall breach had ‘several weapons’, to face multiple charges

“We are currently reviewing Cpl. Hurren’s file, however, there were no issues that precluded his re-enrollment in the CAF or employment on Class C service.”

Hurren was considered “on duty” at the time of the incident at Rideau Hall, supporting Operation LASER in response to the pandemic.

He was not, however, part of any Armed Forces task at the time of his arrest.

He travelled to Ottawa on his own accord, “without the knowledge of his chain of command.”

There is no indication of any weapon in Hurren’s possession belonging to the Armed Forces, and no ammunition was found missing.

Neither Trudeau nor his family were at their Rideau Cottage home when the incident occurred.

Governor General Julie Payette, whose residence is usually at Rideau Hall, was also not there at the time.

Deputy RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said the incident has led to immediate security changes at Rideau Hall.

Trudeau said earlier Friday he is thankful nobody was hurt.