A Steinbach man has been charged after shooting several people with a paintball gun while hopped up on drugs.

Steinbach RCMP say a small group of individuals were hanging out in a parking lot along Main Street when a male drove up beside them in a truck and proceeded to open fire, striking them, as well as the vehicles and building nearby.

A short time later, the suspect vehicle was located by RCMP at a residence on Third Street with multiple paintball guns inside. The driver, who had attempted to flee from the police, was quickly identified and arrested. He was found to be in possession of a small quantity of cocaine.

A further investigation revealed several more weapons stowed away around the driver’s seat of the truck including three knives, two throwing hatchets, a Smith and Wesson fixed blade knife, and a revolver-style pellet gun.

After testing positive for cocaine on an Oral Fluid Device, 25-year-old Ruben Sweet was issued a driving suspension for 15 days and is facing several charges; among them, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Assault with a Weapon, and Mischief under $5,000.

He has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

The investigation is ongoing.