RCMP Release More Details In Buick Creek Death

By 250 News

Ft. St. John- The following statement of events was issued on Oct2nd dealing with the death of a Buick Creek man in an RCMP shooting.

RCMP investigators are now able to provide more information into what transpired prior to and on September 30th,2009 in the community of Buick BC. The domestic violence incident unfolded over the course of several days, and saw the use of "lethal force” by the RCMP North District RCMP Emergency Response Team on September 30th, 2009.

The Violence in Relationship incident which unfolded on September 26th, saw the alleged dangerous and careless use of a firearm and several persons being threatened by a single suspect. Victim and witness accounts, have reported that the man allegedly forced a van containing his wife, his own 11 children and an adult family friend, off the road as it departed the family’s residence. The man shot out the front tires of the vehicle in efforts to prevent it from driving away, however the vehicle did manage to pull away. The group was able to drive away and seek refuge in a nearby residence, eventually abandoning the vehicle outside the residence. The suspect then arrived and shot out the remaining tires and demanded that his family return home with him. The group refused to exit the residence and the suspect then departed after being denied access. The Fort St John RCMP were summoned to intervene at that time and date and eventually located the man at his residence that same day.  Fort St John RCMP members secured the area and undertook exhaustive efforts to communicate with the man via interpreters and a crisis negotiator over a period of several days. These efforts were unsuccessful, with police not receiving the cooperation of the suspect.

In order to minimize further risk to the public and responding members, the RCMP North District Emergency Response Team was deployed.  Fort St John RCMP and the ERT also advised the British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) and requested emergency medical resources be on scene to respond to any medical needs that could result, given the situation.

“Investigators can state at this time, that on September 30th, at approximately 12:50 pm, the suspect was seen exiting the residence and get into a vehicle armed with a rifle. The man then drove away from the house in the direction of the sole exit from the property.  ERT members were positioned near the gated exit. The man drove the vehicle down the drive towards the ERT members and did not stop or slow as it approached them at a high rate of speed.  Police did afford themselves cover and engaged the vehicle utilizing lethal force in order to stop the suspect from departing.

The man did sustain gunshot wounds in his confronting police, however exited the vehicle still holding the rifle and collapsed within a short distance from the vehicle.  Once the man had collapsed, ERT members approached him and removed the rifle in order neutralize any threat and commenced first aid.  Officers noted that the man was carrying a substantial amount of ammunition in his pockets.

BCAS paramedics were injured-side within minutes of his collapsing and immediately performed CPR. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation stopped only at the instructions of a physician once the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. During this time, RCMP ERT members continued on task with clearing the residence for other threats or possible victims.

The above noted information has been obtained partially by way of recorded police radio transmissions from the time of occurrence.

The determination and decision to not permit the man from leaving the property and area of police containment, was based on the grave situational factors as well as the behavioral factors exhibited by the man from the onset of this incident on the 26th of September, up to the point of when the members engaged the vehicle on September 30th.

Given the volatility of the man’s state of mind in days past, his violent behavior exhibited and the level of immediate threat that he posed to his family and the general public, officers made the determination that he posed a high threat and displayed the capacity to cause serious bodily grievous harm or death, in addition to having the means to do so. This level of threat was immediate and known to the officers engaging the vehicle. Our officers recognized that this level of known threat would have continued, if the suspect had not been engaged and had been permitted to drive past”, stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

“It is only speculation as to what may have occurred next, had the armed man been permitted to drive past and depart, perhaps encountering members of the public or his family” added Cpl Moskaluk.

The RCMP “E” Division Major Crime Unit team of approximately 12 investigators comprised of officers from the Lower Mainland area are continuing their investigation.  

The investigation into this incident will encompass all events into the domestic violence occurrence which began on September 26th 2009, in the community of Buick BC, north of Fort St John. The investigation will also examine the death of the 41 yr old Russian descent man of Buick BC, which occurred on September 30th and the use of lethal force by the RCMP ERT members.

“We do want the public to be aware that although the investigation is being conducted by an RCMP investigative team, there is in place separate oversight capacity being provided by agencies external to the RCMP.”

These include, an Inspector from the Vancouver Police Department, providing oversight into the impartial use and adherence to the Major Case Management System(MCMS). The MCMS is an internationally recognized police investigative template that is utilized in the investigation of serious crimes.

A civilian from the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP Independent Observer Program was requested and has been present. His role and that of the CPC in this matter is to observe and assess the impartiality and independence of the RCMP investigative process and participants.

The CPC Civilian independent observer will also receive regular case briefings throughout the duration of the investigation in order to report back to the CPC and in turn to the public.  In addition to the CPC being present as an agency external to the RCMP, the British Columbia Coroner Services are also participating in the investigation into the death of the 41 yr suspect.
 

Investigators will continue completing various investigational steps, including the sensitive task of interviewing family and community members. Due to the linguistic background of the family and community involved, we are seeking additional language trained police officers to assist with this task in order to complete it in an expedited manner.

The RCMP has been in contact with Interpol and German Embassy in Canada in order to identify and notify next of kin abroad.  Given this, the RCMP is not releasing the identity of the suspect until these efforts are completed. 

      
Due to the very tragic and serious nature of this incident, the Fort St John RCMP Detachment including it’s Victim Assistance Unit will continue to provide support to the family and community of Buick

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