An Edson man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a police officer.

RCMP said they arrested and charged Blaine Sterling Elesko, 43, after an incident on December 30, 2013.

Around 8 p.m. that night, officers responded to a call about a distraught man who had just left a rural home threating to hurt himself.

After a two-hour search one of the officers located Elesko’s vehicle on a rural road however, he managed to get away.

The vehicle was later found in a ditch and Elesko was hiding in a culvert.

According to officials the officer fired his gun during the initial incident but after informing Alberta Justice the RCMP were instructed to undertake the investigation.

 Elesko was treated in hospital with minor injuries, none of which were a result of the shooting.

RCMP said he did not speak to bail and will remain in jail until his next court date, January 7.