More than a week after the capture of first-degree murder suspect Lucas MacDonald in a shootout that wounded a police officer, CTV has an exclusive, first-hand account from a cottager who helped police capture the man in a waterborne pursuit. “I saw him right there,” said Karl Krcel at his Nighthawk Lake cottage, pointing past his dock. Just before noon on June 12, Krcel and his wife found it odd when they spotted a man canoeing on a dreary Wednesday, fighting against harsh waves.
Binoculars confirmed his suspicions. It was Lucas MacDonald. Krcel found a strong enough phone signal to call Ontario Provincial Police and then lost sight of him.
Soon after, a neighbour told him MacDonald beached the canoe near his cottage. “At that point, I knew when we were potentially all in danger, here,” said Krcel. “Told the OPP, at the time, I’m going to go back to my cottage and grab my rifle.
” He lost his cellphone signal but a helicopter soon circled overhead. Krcel said two officers then arrived asking for directions to the nearest river. “I offered up my vessel, and the officer asked me to drive,” he said.
With the officers armed and ready, Krcel put away his gun and took his post. Neighbours passed word that they spotted MacDonald heading to a small unnamed island – the elements still thrashing. Neighbours passed word that day that they spotted Lucas MacDonald heading to a small, unnamed island, the harsh waves still thrashing.
(Sergio Arangio/CTV News) Could hear .
