NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On July 4, 2021 at approximately 6:10 p.m., 2 District uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to a report of a disturbance in Niagara Falls.
Officers and Niagara Emergency Medical Service paramedics responded to the area of Jubilee Drive and Redhaven Crescent in Niagara Falls and found a woman in her 20s suffering from a serious stab wound. The victim was transported from the scene to a local hospital. She was then taken by Ornge Air Ambulance to an out of region hospital.
A male suspect was witnessed fleeing from the scene in a red Kia. The male drove to the top of the Garden City Skyway Toronto-bound lanes where he was involved in a crash. The man exited his car and was involved in a standoff with responding officers. This resulted in both lanes of the Queen Elizabeth Highway being closed. Attending officers commenced negotiations with the man until NRPS Crisis Negotiators were able to get to the scene.
Officers on scene were assisted by the NRPS Domestic Violence Unit, NRPS Emergency Task Unit, NRPS Forensic Service Unit, 2 District Detectives, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Niagara Parks Police HART Team, the St. Catharines Fire Service High Angle Team and Niagara Emergency Medical Service personnel.
At 2 a.m., the man was arrested. At approximately 2:25 a.m., the Niagara-bound lanes of the Queen Elizabeth Highway were reopened to traffic. At approximately 3:40 a.m. the remaining Toronto-bound lanes of the Queen Elizabeth Highway were reopened.
This was a targeted incident.
The male suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained prior to police involvement.
Aaron Acton (37 years old) of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the offences of:
• Criminal harassment - section 264(2)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Attempt murder - section 239(1)(b) of the Criminal Code
Acton was held in custody to attend a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.
The NRPS would like to thank the many people who were affected by this incident for their patience and cooperation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident in the area of Jubilee Drive and Redhaven Crescent is being asked to contact 905-688-4111, ext. 1022200.
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