RCMP lays assault charge amid growing tensions in Richmound

RCMP announced the first arrest Thursday nearly one month after the arrival of a cult-like group in Richmound that has created angst in the tiny village.

Mounties charged 59-year-old Ricky Manz with one count of assault following an investigation into an altercation between two men on Oct. 7.

No one was injured and Manz was arrested without incident RCMP said.

Manz is the reported owner of the abandoned school where the self proclaimed “Queen of Canada” Romana Didulo and her followers have been camped out since Sept. 13.

Amid growing tensions between residents and the QAnon group, RCMP established a command center in the village and held a community meeting on Tuesday to re-assure residents the group posed no safety risk.

Mayor Brad Miller took to Facebook saying “things are still escalating” and invited everyone to a “peaceful” rally in the village on Saturday and Sunday in another attempt to get the group to leave the community.

Manz is scheduled to appear in court in Leader on November 16.