Man charged after threatening to shoot customer at Woodbine Safeway over tariffs
James Dean Garriock, 49, faced an armed man at the grocery store Sept. 3 who became agitated during political discussion. Police seized multiple firearms at nearby residence.
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A 49-year-old Calgary man has been charged following what police called an "extremely dangerous situation" at Woodbine Safeway on Thursday, September 3, when he allegedly threatened to shoot another shopper in front of the victim's wife and child.
The incident began around 12:10 p.m. when an unknown man approached the family making political comments about Canadian and American tariffs. The suspect became agitated, shouted anti-Canadian and pro-American remarks, and threatened to retrieve a shotgun and shoot the other man. Store staff intervened, and the suspect approached the family a second time before being escorted out.
Police identified the suspect based on witness reports and located him at a residence in the 400 block of Woodside Road S.W., armed with a handgun. Officers heard a gunshot fired inside the residence. No injuries were reported, and no other occupants were present. The suspect was arrested at approximately 12:53 p.m.
James Dean Garriock, 49, now faces four charges: uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm; possessing an unlicensed weapon; discharging a firearm with intent while being reckless; and two counts of careless storage of a firearm. Police executed a search warrant and seized an unloaded .40-calibre pistol, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, a Glock replica BB gun, and loaded magazines and ammunition.
Garriock is scheduled to appear in court Thursday, September 17, 2026. Staff Sergeant Joe Hebert of District 6 General Investigations Unit said the swift response from witnesses, patrol members, the Tactical Support Unit and other resources prevented further danger to the community.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Calgary police at 403-266-1234, or submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, through calgarycrimestoppers.org, or via the P3 Tips app.
The facts
What happened at Woodbine Safeway on September 3, 2026?
A man threatened to shoot a customer during a political discussion about tariffs at Woodbine Safeway on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in front of the victim's wife and child. Store staff intervened when the suspect approached the family a second time and had him escorted out.
Who was charged and what are the charges?
James Dean Garriock, 49, faces four charges: uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm; possessing an unlicensed weapon; discharging a firearm with intent while being reckless; and two counts of careless storage of a firearm.
What firearms were seized by police?
Police seized an unloaded .40-calibre pistol, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, a Glock replica BB gun, and loaded magazines and ammunition from a residence in the 400 block of Woodside Road S.W.
When is Garriock's court appearance scheduled?
James Dean Garriock is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
