Zagwyn declared dangerous offender

A 25-year-old man who went on a two-day crime spree and a shoot-out with police in the Fraser Lake-Vanderhoof area has been declared a dangerous offender.

Richard Dean Zagwyn was given an indeterminate sentence by provincial court judge Michael Brecknell in Prince George, according to a judgment released this week.

The designation is the toughest sentence available under the Criminal Code, with no opportunity for parole for at least seven years.

Even if parole is granted, dangerous offenders remain under supervision for the rest of their lives.

Zagwyn was described as someone with a long criminal history and little chance of rehabilitation.

In many ways, Zagwyn's circumstances are "tragic and would evoke empathy from any right-thinking member of the community," Brecknell wrote.

Zagwyn started life with a cognitive disability, "which despite the best efforts of his parents and various community resources provided through his childhood, could not be managed.

"Incapable of knowing better, he exacerbated his condition through substance abuse, which led him to become enmeshed in a violent criminal lifestyle," Brecknell wrote, and added it became a lifestyle he knew, enjoyed and benefited from.

"In many ways, he cannot help what he has become," Brecknell wrote.

The final straw began on Aug. 20, 2007 when Zagwyn went to his adoptive parents' home in Fraser Lake, where he broke in and stole a rifle, ammunition, several knives, clothing and food. He also stole his parents' car and, after crashing and abandoning that vehicle, went back and stole their pickup truck.

During his crime spree, he shot at the RCMP, broke into a number of homes, then took a homeowner hostage. He threatened to kill the man, stole three rifles, then forced the man to drive him to Vanderhoof and then the Saikuz reserve where he was eventually captured.

At one point, according to testimony in a preliminary hearing, Zagwyn exchanged fire with members of an emergency response team during a night-time altercation in which Zagwyn fired two to five bullets while the members replied with 100 to 1,000 rounds as they retreated.

He was located the next morning asleep lying on top of two loaded rifles.

Zagwyn eventually pleaded guilty to six of the 23 charges he faced: dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, discharging a firearm with intent to prevent arrest, two counts of break-and-enter to commit an indictable offence, kidnapping using a firearm and discharging a firearm with intent to wound.