Skip to content

Taser used on Port Colborne man after brief stand off

Police allege the suspect struck one person with a shovel, assaulted another and barricaded himself inside a home
police AdobeStock_298601376
Stock image

NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
************************
On September 22, 2023, at 5:33pm 6 District (Port Colborne / Wainfleet) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to a disturbance in the City of Port Colborne.

Officers attended the scene on Neff Street near Elm Street.  The initial investigation determined that a male suspect had been stealing items from a parked pickup truck.  The suspect left the area with the stolen items.  A short time later the suspect returned to the scene.  The suspect threatened the truck owner and another person at the scene.  The suspect attempted to punch the truck owner.  The suspect then armed himself with a shovel and struck the owner with it. 

The suspect ran across the street and barricaded himself inside a family member's house. Officers set up a perimeter; and the NRPS Emergency Task Unit (ETU) was requested. The suspect refused to surrender to officers and assaulted a resident of the house.  He smashed a window and began throwing objects at the police on scene. He exited the house twice taunting officers while continuing to throw items at them (pieces of wrought iron fencing). The 3rd time he exited the house, officers were able to successfully deploy a conducted energy weapon (CEW – also known as a “Taser”) and take physical control of the suspect.  He was arrested at 6:57pm.

Edward Robert Guhl (63 yrs.) of Port Colborne has been arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offences of:

  • Theft Under $5000
  • Uttering Threats (3 Counts)
  • Assault with a Weapon
  • Assault (2 Counts)
  • Mischief Under $5000
  • Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon

Guhl was taken to a local hospital to be assessed medically.  Guhl was later cleared medically and transported to the NRPS Prisoner Management Unit. Guhl was held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on September 23, 2023.

The owner of the pickup truck and resident of the involved home suffered minor injuries.

Detectives from the 3 District office of the NRPS have been assigned to the investigation.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1008980.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

************************