Thunder Bay police charged Sheldon Waboose after a September 26 stabbing investigation. Read the allegations, charge explanations and maximum penalties
Police say victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries; accused also allegedly assaulted an officer while in custody
THUNDER BAY – LOCAL CRIME UPDATE – A 28-year-old man faces six charges following a reported stabbing near Bay and Lake streets and an alleged assault on a police officer while in custody.
In an October 6, 2026 release, Thunder Bay Police Service said Primary Response officers were dispatched to the area on the evening of Saturday, September 26, after receiving reports of an injured person.
Officers found a male victim with injuries consistent with an assault and stabbing. His injuries were not considered life-threatening, and he was taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment.
Police located and arrested a male suspect at a nearby address. Police allege the suspect subsequently assaulted an officer while in custody.
Sheldon Waboose, 28, faces the following charges:
- Aggravated assault
- Forcible confinement
- Assaulting a peace officer
- Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm
- Failure to comply with a probation order — two counts
Waboose was remanded into custody following an initial court appearance. The release did not provide his next court date.
What the charges mean and potential penalties
The following explains the offences listed by police. These are general legal descriptions, not findings about what occurred in this case.
| Charge | Plain-language explanation | Maximum imprisonment if prosecuted by indictment |
|---|---|---|
| Aggravated assault | An assault that wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers another person’s life. An injury does not have to be life-threatening if another part of the definition is met. | 14 years, under section 268. |
| Forcible confinement | Confining, imprisoning or forcibly seizing someone without lawful authority. | 10 years, under section 279(2). |
| Assaulting a peace officer | Includes assaulting a police officer who is carrying out their duties. | Five years, under section 270. |
| Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm | Knowingly communicating a threat to kill or physically harm another person. | Five years, under section 264.1. |
| Failure to comply with a probation order — two counts | Failing or refusing to obey a probation order without a reasonable excuse. | Four years per count, under section 733.1. |
These definitions and maximum terms are set out in Canada’s Criminal Code.
Aggravated assault is an indictable offence. The other charges listed can proceed either by indictment or through the summary conviction process. If prosecuted summarily, the general maximum for those offences is two years less a day in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both. The police release did not state how the Crown would proceed.
Maximum penalties are legal ceilings, not predictions of a sentence. Any sentence would depend on the offences proven and the circumstances considered by the court.
All charges remain unproven. Waboose is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Police incident number: TB26038968
