Man charged in stabbing of woman and police officer in Delta pleads guilty

THE man who was charged in relation to the February 20, 2019 stabbing incident at Immaculate Conception School in Delta appeared in court on Monday to plead guilty to three serious charges.

On February 20, 2019, Delta Police Sgt. John Jasmins, who was off-duty, witnessed an altercation between a man and a woman at the school and intervened. During this process both he and a female victim received serious stab wounds. Jasmins noted in subsequent media interviews that his children actually witnessed the incident. Uniformed police arrived to the scene quickly, and a suspect was apprehended minutes later.

Jasmins has since returned to full-time uniform duties at Delta Police, where he is in charge of the department’s three community policing offices. The female victim was seriously injured in this incident and while her condition has improved, she is still recovering.

The suspect in this matter faced 10 charges in relation to this incident, and his alleged actions in the preceding days. He has been in custody while awaiting his court appearance.

In court on Monday, the suspect plead guilty to three charges – one count of attempt murder and one count of unlawful confinement, both against the female victim, and one count of aggravated assault for his actions against Jasmins. The suspect’s name is now subject to a publication ban, and as such cannot be released.

Upon hearing the guilty pleas, Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord reflected back on the incident.

“It was just over a year ago when I was sitting in the office, and learned that one of our officers had been hurt. Those were some chaotic and tense moments, as it took a while for reports to come in from our various officers on the ground,” said Dubord. “Later that night I had a chance to see John in the hospital to check on him, and thank him. I have no doubt that he saved a woman’s life that day.

“For us as a police department it’s gratifying to see these three guilty pleas. These are very serious charges, and reflect the gravity of what occurred a year ago.”

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 4-5.