A Prince George man has been sentenced to a 60-day conditional sentence order for pulling out a shotgun during a confrontation with another driver.
In doing so, Donald James Chromick did not point it at his adversary and took the step in the name of "acting defensively," the court was told Wednesday. For the act, Chromick pleaded guilty to uttering a threat.
The outcome stems from an Oct. 6, 2021 incident that culminated in the two exchanging words as they parked side by side on Kelly Road. When the other driver got out of his vehicle, Chromick pulled the firearm out of the back of his cab.
How it led to that point is a matter of dispute. Chromick did not entirely agree with the circumstances as presented by Crown counsel but admitted to displaying the firearm as a way to ward off the other driver, who then retreated back to his own vehicle but called police and followed Chromick to his home.
When police arrived, Chromick was uncooperative and confrontational. A police dog was eventually used to take him down.
A conditional sentence order is effectively house arrest. Chromick will still be able to go to work but otherwise must remain on his property with the exception of two hours on Wednesday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons to deal with personal matters.
Chromick was also sentenced to 18 months probation and issued a three-year firearms prohibition.
The sentence came in the form of a joint submission from Crown and defence counsels and the remaining charges Chromick had been facing were stayed.
Prior to sentencing, Chromick apologized, saying he takes responsibility for creating the situation "by not driving away."
Chromick suffered bites to a tricep and shoulder during the arrest and has had to go through multiple surgeries as a result.
An investigation by B.C.'s civilian-based police watch dog, the Independent Investigations Office, into the way Chromick's injuries were treated in the aftermath remains outstanding.
