THUNDER BAY — A judge will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial for a man and woman from southern Ontario charged in connection to a shooting involving Ontario Provincial Police officers last year.
Andrew Plummer of Brampton, Ont. and Drew McKenzie of Chatsworth, Ont. appeared before Justice Chantal Brochu in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.
The pair were charged following an incident on March 8, 2022 in Sterling Township that involved Plummer shooting at OPP officers attempting to conduct a traffic stop.
Plummer was charged with four counts of attempted murder, four counts of assaulting a peace officer, discharging a firearm with reckless intent, operating a conveyance dangerous to the public, several firearms related charges, and possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking.
Plummer was also charged attempted murder and aggravated assault for an alleged shooting incident that took place earlier in the day on March 8, 2022 in Thunder Bay.
McKenzie was charged with being an occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm inside, accessory after the fact, and possession of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking.
According to statements issued by police, OPP officers were alerted by the Thunder Bay Police Service on March 8, 2022 following an alleged shooting taking place on Forest Street that sent a male victim to hospital with serious injuries.
The suspect vehicle was located by the OPP while officers were checking vehicles on Highway 11/17 near Davis Road. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, shots were fired in their direction. Officers returned fire and the vehicle fled and ended up in a ditch on Davis Road.
The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Plummer, fled on foot but was arrested a short time later. McKenzie was also arrested at that time. There were no injuries following the shooting between Plummer and police.
The Special Investigation Unit launched an investigation into the OPP officers discharging their firearms. The two OPP officers were cleared of any charges by the SIU.
The charges before the court for the preliminary hearing include the count of trafficking for McKenzie, while the charges for Plummer also includes trafficking, as well as the four counts of attempted murder, discharging a firearm with reckless intent, and aggravated assault and attempted murder from the shooting in Thunder Bay.
There is a publication ban on all evidence presented during the preliminary hearing.
Plummer remains in custody while McKenzie was previously released.
