Suspect in aggravated assault of woman in northwest British Columbia charged with attempted murder

The suspect who sparked a days-long manhunt in northwestern British Columbia last month after an incident police say left a woman seriously injured is now charged with attempted murder.

On September 10, five additional charges were filed against Nathan James Mitchell Rinsma, including false imprisonment or deprivation of liberty, aggravated assault, use of an imitation firearm in the commission of a crime, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The RCMP said the new charges are related to an investigation launched on Aug. 31 after a serious assault involving two victims was reported.

Two search warrants were executed on homes in Thornhill, west of Terrace, where cash, ammunition, weapons, illegal drugs and firearms were seized, according to the Mounties.

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In an initial press release on August 31, Terrace's Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they were investigating a report of a possible serious assault that occurred in Thornhill around 7:45 a.m. in which a woman was seriously injured.

The Northern District Emergency Response Team was dispatched to search for the male suspect.

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Hours later, the RCMP identified the suspect as Rinsma and warned that he was armed and dangerous.

After a three-day manhunt, Rinsma was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Terrace on September 3.

Rinsma, 30, was initially charged with aggravated assault in connection with an alleged domestic incident on August 31 in Thornhill, BC.

Rinsma was scheduled to go on trial in Kitimat on January 10 on separate charges of domestic violence and uttering threats related to the October 16, 2022 allegations.

This matter was resolved the same day when Rinsma entered into a peace bond for 12 months.

Rinsma will remain in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for October 4 in Williams Lake Court via video.

The RCMP said the investigation into the August 31 incident is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact them at 250-638-7400.

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