Trial witnesses say Michael Arcand was robot-like and 'paranoid' during tense downtown police standoff

An Edmonton man described by witnesses as both robot-like and "paranoid" is on trial in Saskatoon for allegedly trying to murder a police officer during a tense downtown standoff.

Michael Arcand, 35, is facing one count of attempting to murder a police officer, one count of firing a weapon with the intent to wound, and one count of recklessly firing a weapon, along with more minor weapons offences.

It all stems from a late summer day in September 2017, when Arcand was surrounded by several Saskatoon police officers on FourthAvenue South, in front of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) building.

A video shot by a civilian and Crown witness from across the street was shown in the Court of Queen's Bench courtroom in SaskatoonWednesday.

It showed Arcand standing by the rear bumper of a parked truck and holding what appeared to bea homemade pipe gun with both hands as he was surrounded by officers.

One officer fired a beanbag from a bright orangeshotgun twice at Arcand.

'He didn't flinch'

Another witness, Carol Parenteau, was watching with her colleagues from thebank across the street, where she workedas a bank officer.

She told the court the beanbag shotgun was firedafter Arcand pumped his pipe gun three times during the standoff.

"He didn't flinch," she said of the beanbag shot. "There was no movement out of him."

When he got Tasered, no emotion. It was just like a robot. Nothing.- WitnessKarenBurkosky

Arcand's weapon came apart at one point, said Parenteau.

"When he pumped it and it came apart, it almost kind of looked like some kind of homemade gun," she said.

Defence attorney Brent Little later confirmed it was a pipe gun.

'Just like a robot'

Parenteau's co-worker Karen Burkosky, a teller at the bank, also testified Wednesday.

She echoed Parenteau when describing Arcand's demeanour that day.

Burkosky said that after shots were fired by the truck, Arcand ran across Fourth Avenue S., toward the front window of the bank, with the homemade shotgun still in his arms.

Arcand was Taseredas he ran down the street, she said.

"When he got Tasered, no emotion. It was just like a robot. Nothing."

Const. Michael Armbruster was much closer to Arcand that day and offered a different description.

Testifying Wednesday, Armbruster said that during the standoff and before Arcand was shot Arcand made growling and snarling noises.

"He appeared very paranoid," said Armbruster.

'Trying to shoot me'

Sgt. Grant Linklater was the final witness Wednesday.

He said he didn't initially think Arcand's weapon was anything more than a pipe, but wasworried that Arcand could still cause serious injury.Linklatersaid hefiredhis Taser at Arcand and it merelycausedArcand to flinch.

AfterLinklater shot his Tasera second time, he heard a "bang" and saw a small puff of smoke come from the end of the pipe gun.

"What I observed was him trying to shoot me with his gun," Linklater testified.

Linklatersaid he was not wounded but had checked his clothes for holes to make sure.Arcand then took off down the street, he said.

Testimony on weapon expected

Court heard that Arcand rounded the corner onto 20th Street E., where he was eventually shot in the shoulderand apprehended.

The judge-alone trial, which began Monday, continues Wednesday afternoon.

A Crown witness is expected to testify Thursday about the pipe gun.

Five 12-guage shotgun shells were found on Arcand'sseized clothing, according to the agreed statement of facts.