Prince George, BC – Family members and close friends of Greg Matters turned their backs to the bench as the RCMP officer who shot and killed the former soldier took to the stand to testify at the Coroner’s Inquest this afternoon. 

Chastised by presiding coroner, Chico Newell, they took their seats, but were among those reprimanded later for uttering groans and protests of disgust while family lawyer, Cameron Ward, questioned Corporal Collin Warwick on the events surrounding the arrest of Greg Matters’ mother, Lorraine, in the hours leading up to the shooting death last September.

Recounting details, Warwick said he noticed two vehicles in the Matters’ driveway, when he drove by the residence on Pinko Road. Meeting with a fellow officer, he noticed a van leave the yard. He followed it, stopping it on an overgrown lane.

Tasked with aiding in the arrest of Matters, Warwick said he suspected the man might be in the van, and called for back-up. He said he then exited the vehicle at the same time as Lorraine, he asked her to step to the back of her van and show her hands, then go to his vehicle.

She complied, but, he said, her demeanour changed completely when he asked why she was driving down the lane.
He testified she began yelling and swearing. Then said she began hurrying back to the van.

Warwick said he was unable to ascertain whether Greg was in the van, and had to remove Lorraine for her own safety.  He testified he grabbed her by the collar and pulled her backwards away from the van, placing her under arrest for obstruction. In turn, he said, she began flailing at him, and he added the charge of assaulting a police officer.  He pulled her to the ground, placed his left knee on her while holding her collar to keep her from wriggling away.  Her scream changed then, became very loud.

"It seemed to be more of a loud signal," he said as a loud series of moans and groans erupted from the gallery.

Warwick said he was not dressed in fatigues, neither did he point his weapon at Lorraine.

During the testimony, Ward brought up the Independent Investigations Office, a civilian entity instituted to investigate police shootings.  The Matters case was its first file.

The IIO asked for an audio-video interview with Warwick. After consulting with a lawyer, the officer declined, instead providing a typed and signed statement.

Ward pointed out some of what Warwick testified to today was not in that document.  He asked Warwick if he recalled enough of the events to testify of the shooting.

"I relive that night over and over," said the corporal. "The events are still fresh in my mind."

Four members of the ERT were positioned in the lane. Warwick said Matters was walking towards them, believing he was set to surrender. Then he turned around, began yelling and heading east, back up the driveway. Warwick released his police dog, deciding it was the best way to bring Matters in.

He said that was when Matters pulled out the hatchet he’d concealed beneath his sweater and raised it above his head.
Deciding a Taser would be a better weapon, Warwick commanded the dog to stop.

Warwick said Constable Reddeman tasered Matters, but it had no effect.  With the hatchet still raised, Warick said Reddeman’s life was at risk.

He said he fired the two M16 rounds.

Ward questioned Warwick on several points, including which hand the hatchet was in (Warick thought left, while two other members said right) and the placement of the body and hatchet following the shooting.

After the shots, members moved in and turned Matters’ body face down, cuffing him. The hatchet was also moved, though Warick did not witness when or by whom.  He said this is standard operating procedure during these events since team members have no way of knowing how bad the injury is.

Ward argued that standard operating procedures are opposite if Matters was either dead or grievously injured, and therefore everything should have been left alone.

Already through its second week, the inquest is tentatively set to resume in January.