Trenton residents shocked over murder charges against military official

TRENTON, Ont. — News that a high-ranking officer from Canadian Forces Base Trenton had been accused of four serious crimes spread swiftly through this tight-knit Ontario community on Monday.

Two teenagers who live on the military base, the focus of activity for the town of nearly 20,000 people, said the news that Col. Russell Williams had been charged with first-degree murder and sexual assault was shocking and frightening for their families.

"I feel scared. (Williams) is in charge of where we live," said Emily Kiah, 18. "It's huge. He's supposed to be a representative for the Air Force."

Kiah, whose father is a member of the military and was the one who told her about the charges, said she would think twice about walking around alone at night on the base now.

"I won't walk around at night, now that I know this kind of thing is possible," said Kiah, who moved to the base in July. "I've always lived on a military base, all my life. They are generally known as a safer place to be."

Emily King, also 18 and a resident of the base, said the charges are particularly upsetting because Williams was in a leadership role.

People tend to place more trust in an authority figure, she said.

Geoff Harbinson, a retired master corporal and now a resident of Trenton, said he wonders if more victims will come forward.

"How many more is there?" he asked. "I'm sure there's more devastation."

Harbinson said the military is used to handling tragedy, Harbinson said.

He said it's likely individual soldiers will be briefed on the situation by their commanding officer.

Soldiers in uniform around the base were quick to say they'd been informed of the charges but also quick to add they had little to say about it.

At a news conference held at CFB Trenton, Maj. Gen. Yvan Blondin, commander of the 1 Canadian Air Division in Winnipeg, said Williams was part of the squadron that pilots flights that carry Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Blondin said he didn't know whether Williams had actually piloted a plane carrying the prime minister.

Glen Rainbird, the honourary colonel of 8 Wing Trenton and the local community liaison, said the military planned to meet with local officials about the charges as soon as possible.

"A lot of people who are members of our community are members of the Canadian Forces here and operations are gravely important here and we will continue to focus on those operations," he said. "We are all taken aback by what has come about here today in regards to (Williams). Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Cpl. Comeau and Ms. Lloyd."