A Kamloops social advocate who was punched and stabbed last month still feels traumatized, but is sharing his story in a bid to encourage more development of mental-health services.
Kamloops RCMP said a man was taken into custody on Feb. 24 following what police called a failed car-jacking that included a stabbing in the 400-block of Tranquille Road.
Glenn Hilke, one of the lead organizers of The Loop drop-in centre at 405 Tranquille Rd., said that incident involved him being attacked by a client during breakfast service at the facility. Hilke said the man confronted him, claiming he was owed millions of dollars and a vehicle his family had taken from him and donated to the organization.
Hilke said that isn’t true. He said the man has mental-health issues, noting he has had prior dealings with the man and has talked with him about accessing more services.
Hilke described the encounter as terrifying and difficult to de-escalate. He said the man punched him in the face, but others in the building intervened and got the man to leave without further incident.
“He just had a very, very bad day when it comes to his mental-health challenges,” Hilke said, adding he called police and locked the doors.
Police responded and went looking for the man, but could not find him, Hilke said. Minutes later, as Hilke went to leave the building, the man appeared at the glass front door, resulting in a tug of war.
Hilke tried to pull the door closed and lock it, but the man was too strong. Hilke said he reached out to calm the man, but was stabbed in the left forearm with a paring knife, causing a minor wound.
Hilke managed to lock the door after telling the man he would give him what he wanted, which gave the man pause.
When he called police again, the man fled, but Hilke drove around looking for him and alerted the police to his location.
Kamloops RCMP Insp. Jeff Pelley said police Tasered the man, who was armed with a knife, after a brief standoff.
Richard Annett-Chartier, 31, was arrested and charged and ordered on March 4 to undergo a psychiatric assessment, according to court documents. His latest court hearing was Tuesday and another hearing is scheduled for March 17.
Hilke said he has peace of mind that Annett-Chartier remains in the court system and hopes he receives the help he needs.
