No charges in cop shooting

Photo: Google Maps

After an extensive investigation, no charges have been approved against four members of the RCMP Emergency Response Team who shot and killed a man and injured a woman near Valemount in September 2014.

On Sept. 17, police attempted to arrest a man who was occupying a cabin in a remote area, 120 kilometres southeast of Valemount on Kinbasket Lake.

The man, who was living in the cabin with a woman, had been arrested three months prior after he blocked a trail and threatened to kill a woman and her daughter who were using the trail. This led to a standoff with police.

The man was eventually arrested during the June standoff. He was found in possession of firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. He was unlicensed to own them.

The man failed to appear in court to face his charges, prompting a Sept. 17 stakeout of the remote cabin.

At the time, RCMP Insp. Ed Boettcher said the officers' cover was blown while they were changing shifts, and shots were fired at them.

Police returned fire, killing the man and injuring the woman. Two rifles were seized from the scene.

The Independent Investigations Office, an independent body that investigates any incident involving police that results in an injured or killed person, took over the investigation.

After a lengthy investigation by the IIO, the Criminal Justice Branch determined no charges should be laid against the four officers involved in the shooting, based on the evidence found by the IIO.

While the Criminal Justice Branch would normally issue a statement explaining the available evidence in the case, they have not in this case, as “related matters arising out of the circumstances in this case are currently before the court.”

Once these related matters have been dealt with, the Criminal Justice Branch says they will release a statement outlining the evidence.