No charges for Mountie who shot, killed suspect
Family hopes inquest will reveal why Taser was not used on man
Criminal charges will not be laid against the RCMP member who fatally shot Brydon Whitstone in North Battleford last year.
Drew Wilby, spokesman for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice, revealed that decision to reporters on Tuesday. He was unable to provide any additional information on the case, citing a pending coroner’s inquest set to take place from Dec. 3 to 7 at Court of Queen’s Bench in the Battlefords.
Whitstone, 22, died on Oct. 21, 2017.
He was reportedly driving a vehicle connected to an earlier shooting, and allegedly rammed a police cruiser during a pursuit. An officer then opened fire, with an RCMP spokesperson later saying it was “in response to the driver’s actions.”
The investigation into Whitstone’s death was referred to the Regina Police Service.
Wilby declined to confirm whether a firearm was located in the vehicle or whether shots were fired from that direction, saying that will be a matter for the inquest.
Wilby also could not say why charges weren’t pursued, though he said the decision followed “a comprehensive investigation by the police service and a consultation with Public Prosecutions.” He said that an independent observer was also assigned to the case.
“I want to assure you that we’re confident in the investigation and the process that was followed,” he said.
The family of Whitstone says they hope an inquest will tell them why police felt the need to open fire.
“Why did he shoot him twice? Why did he even shoot him?” said Whitstone’s mother, Dorothy Laboucane, when asked about the inquest.
Laboucane wonders why officers didn’t Taser her son instead of killing him.
She said it’s about time that an inquest was called. “My whole family needs closure, we need answers and we need to get to the bottom of this, the truth,” she said.
Whitstone’s brother Daniel Lewis said he wants video of the death shot by bystanders to be shown at the inquest.
Lewis said shortly after the shooting several videos were put on Facebook, but have since been taken down. Whitstone’s last breaths could be heard on one of the videos, Lewis said.
“I hear his voice every night,” Lewis said. “Watching him die on video. Those were his last words alive.
“I just want to hear the side of what these RCMP are going to say in the investigation,” Lewis added.
Ron Piche, the lawyer representing Whitstone’s family, said there have been many delays in the family’s attempt to get information about the shooting.
He hopes the inquest will allow the family to get some of their questions answered.
“Whether at the end of the day the answers they receive are going to be accepted or acceptable to them, we’ll leave that for the inquest itself,” Piche said.
The RCMP also released a statement on Monday saying the Mounties have completed their own internal investigation into whether “RCMP policy and procedures were adhered to in this matter.”
But they also cited the pending coroner’s inquest in declining to release any information about the outcome of the investigation.
RCMP spokesman Rob King later confirmed the officer involved is still a member of the RCMP. He said he is not aware of any restrictions placed on the member.
Wilby said the family was informed of the decision before the statement was given to media.
He said the Regina Police Service provided “very similar information” to them.
He expressed hope the upcoming coroner’s inquest will shed light on the incident.
“It’s a terrible situation that led to the investigation that led to why we’re here today,” he said. “A young man’s life has been lost, a father’s life has been lost, a friend’s life has been lost. Nobody ever wants to see that.”
Wilby also spoke to the strength of the Battlefords community in living through so many difficult events in recent years.
“The Battlefields and the surrounding area have shown that they can withstand a lot,” he said.