On the evening of February 9th, Bonnyville RCMP officers were called to a rural home in the Municipal District of Bonnyville. A report occurred about a man acting erratically, trying to break into a room where people were hiding, and causing damage.
Upon arrival, officers quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation and entered the residence to help. They successfully de-escalated the situation and safely escorted everyone in the household to a secure location.
Unfortunately, the suspect confronted the officers again, leading to a confrontation. In response, an officer discharged their firearm, resulting in the suspect being seriously injured. The officers immediately provided critical first aid while waiting for EMS to arrive. The suspect was taken to the hospital by STARS and remains in serious condition.
No members of the public or officers were harmed during the incident.
As required by law, the Director of Law Enforcement was notified, and ASIRT was called in to conduct an independent investigation. The RCMP is committed to accountability and transparency, fully supporting ASIRT’s investigation and conducting its internal review.
The RCMP understands the importance of using force responsibly and remains fully accountable for their actions. Despite the unfortunate outcome, the officer’s actions likely prevented further harm and provided life-saving aid to the suspect.
In addition to ASIRT’s investigation, the RCMP will conduct its internal review to gather a complete account of the incident. This review will include examining training, policies, the police response, and the status of the involved officers.
