Police Fatal Shooting North of Ft. St. John

By 250 News

Fort St. John: A 41 year old  man from the ft. St. John area  has been shot  by the RCMP.

According to the police, the incident  started on the 26th, 2009, at a rural farm on Aitken Creek Road near the small community of Buick Creek which is north of Fort St. John.

The incident involved a 41-year-old male resident of the farm who, during a domestic dispute, allegedly pursued a van containing his wife, his children and a friend, and using his own vehicle forced them to come to stop. He then allegedly shot out the front tires of the van which continued to a nearby residence where his family and the friend sought safety inside the house. The male then allegedly shot out the rear tires of the now empty van and demanded that his wife and children return home with him. When denied access to the home, the male left and returned to his property while still in possession of the firearm. At this point RCMP were called for assistance.

All attempts to communicate with the male by Fort St. John RCMP members were met with refusal. The services of a translator were also extensively used to ensure the German-speaking male understood the communications efforts being made. In addition, a family friend made regular contact with the male in an effort to persuade him to cooperate with police, but these attempts were also unsuccessful. On September 29th, a vehicle believed to be driven by the male attempted to leave the farm, but quickly retreated after the driver apparently spotted police. Due to the potential risk and volatility of the situation, a decision was made to call in the RCMP’s North District Emergency Response Team (ERT).

On September 30th the Emergency Response Team arrived and contained the property. The male was spotted numerous times on the property in possession of a firearm. Contact with the male was attempted with the assistance of an interpreter but was met with negative results.

At approximately 12:50 PM the male allegedly attempted to leave the property and had a confrontation with ERT members. Shots were fired by police striking the male. Paramedics were brought in to the scene within approximately two minutes but despite their best efforts the male’s wounds were fatal. The male’s name is being withheld pending notification of all next-of-kin. RCMP Victim Services is offering assistance to the family and friends.

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