A Sault Ste. Marie man is facing multiple weapons and assault charges related to intimate partner violence after police allege he attacked a woman with a BB Gun — and was also in possession of a shotgun.
David McMaster, age 44 of no fixed address, was arrested by Sault Police on Jan. 31 and is currently in custody awaiting a bail hearing scheduled for Thursday.
McMaster’s name and the 11 charges against him were not sent to the media at the time of his arrest because the incident was deemed a case of intimate partner violence (IPV).
Sault Police do not typically disclose the names of suspects in IPV cases because that information could identify the victim.
“We do not release names associated to IPV incidents,” said Sault Police spokesperson Lincoln Louttit, when asked about the charges.
There is currently no publication ban on the details in the court filing involving McMaster. However, SooToday is not naming the victim in this case and did seek and receive her consent to publish the charges against McMaster.
The charges include:
- Three counts of assault with a weapon
- Assault
- Uttering death threat
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Mischief - Domestic
- Two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Two counts knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
According to the charge sheet, McMaster is accused of using a BB gun and a bottle against the victim sometime between June 1 and Sept. 30 of last year. A candle was allegedly used against the victim on Jan. 27.
The assault charge and uttering a death threat allegedly occurred on Jan. 1.
The charge sheet also notes McMaster does not hold a licence for the shotgun he allegedly had in his possession on the day of his arrest.
McMaster appeared in bail court on Feb. 1 but remains in custody. He is scheduled to appear in video remand court on Thursday so a bail plan and surety can be considered.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and McMaster is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Last October, two local families were victimized by a horrific case of intimate partner violence when a gunman shot and killed his estranged girlfriend and his three children before turning the gun on himself. The killer also shot his ex-wife but she survived.
In a report to city council made in response to the mass shooting, it was noted there were 1,351 intimate partner violence calls for service made to Sault Ste. Marie Police Service in 2022.
On Oct. 31, city councillors voted unanimously to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.