Kimmirut man faces prison for shooting at RCMP building

A Kimmirut, Nunavut, man could spend several years in a federal penitentiary for shooting at the communitys RCMP detachment last summer.

Joe Utye, 21, pleaded guilty in March to one count of recklessly discharging a firearm.

In a sentencing hearing in Iqaluit Tuesday, the court heard the facts of the case.

On July 28, 2012 Utye was drunk after drinking a mickey of vodka and several beers.

At about 2 a.m. he was wandering around Kimmirut with a rifle.

A teenage girl went to the home of one of the two RCMP officers stationed in the community and warned the officer that someone was on the way to shoot them.

Both officers went with the teen to the detachment. Shortly after bullets began ripping through the windows and walls.

Thirteen shots were fired at the detachment while the trio was inside. Bullets were also fired at the police vehicle.

Utye then started walking back to his sister's house with her .303 rifle.

Local residents were able to tie him up with ropeuntil the RCMP emergency response team arrived a couple of hours later from Iqaluit.

No one was injured.

Utye barely looked up during the hearing and said nothing.

The crown is asking for a sentence of six to eight years in a federal penitentiary. The defence wants six years minus credit for time served.

Justice Robert Kilpatrick said he will issue a written decision as quickly as possible.