Salmon Arm police fend off disturbed woman who attacked them with machete, scythe

A woman is now in doctor's care after a bizarre incident in the Shuswap earlier this week.

Salmon Arm RCMP were called to Tappen Valley Road Monday afternoon, Aug. 16, to a woman laying on the road with a screwdriver in her hands, "screaming and not making any sense," according to a news release.

Sgt. Scott West said by the time police arrived, she moved to a nearby home and soon became violent, throwing glass and metal objects at officers. He said they tried to de-escalate the situation, but instead she hit one of the officers on the hands with a machete and "rushed two others with a scythe."

They used a conductive energy weapon, or Taser, and subdued her to get her to hospital. He said no one was injured. 

"We are happy to report that the officers were unharmed and resumed duties after they took the woman to the hospital where she remains under a doctors care at this time," he said.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones or call 250-718-2724 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.