OPP to investigate fatal RNC shooting
Corner Brook man was shot during confrontation with police officers responding to criminal complaint
RNC Chief Joe Boland is asking for the public’s patience as the investigation is conducted into the fatal police shooting of a man in Corner Brook on Tuesday night.
Boland said that just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, two RNC officers responded to a criminal complaint at a residence on Carriage Lane in the west coast city.
“A short time after arriving, a confrontation is believed to have occurred between the officers and the man who was the subject of the complaint that resulted in one of the responding officers discharging his sidearm,” Boland told reporters Wednesday.
“The man, who we are not identifying at this time, was conveyed to Western Memorial Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 12:30 a.m. (Wednesday).”
As is the normal procedure in such cases, an outside agency has been called in to carry out an independent investigation of the shooting. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will conduct the investigation which, when complete, will be reviewed by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).
Boland noted the RNC will also carry out its own internal review.
“It is critical for the officer, the family of the victim and the community that a fair, transparent and thorough investigation takes place,” Boland said. “The RNC will co-operate fully with the OPP and ASIRT during this investigation.”
An autopsy on the deceased man is expected to be done today in St. John’s by the province’s chief medical examiner.
Boland also expressed his condolences to the family of the victim.
“I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the family of the man who was involved in this tragic incident,” Boland said. “I would also like to state that I have deployed our employee assistance program coordinator to the Corner Brook region from St. John’s, and he is on site now and will be able to better support the RNC officers and staff who were affected by this incident. He will also be able to assess what supports may be needed by others involved, including the family of the victim.
“Incidents of this nature can have long-lasting effects on all of those involved. I ask the community to have faith in our abilities and to have patience as we work with the OPP and ASIRT to find answers following this very tragic event.”
Both of the RNC officers involved in the incident are presently on leave and will be assigned to administrative duties upon their return to work while the investigation by the OPP is ongoing.
“Placing an officer on leave or administrative duties should not be taken as a sign that the police service believes that the officer did anything wrong,” Boland said. “Regardless of the circumstances, any officer in the same situation would be placed on leave and assigned to administrative duties. The mental health and well-being of our officers and staff is paramount and the RNC is committed to ensuring that the officers involved receive whatever supports they need throughout this process.
“I have the utmost confidence in the training and abilities of my officers, and I want to be clear that an outside agency is brought in in all instances where an on-duty RNC officer is involved in an incident that results in the serious injury or death of an individual.”
There have been other fatal police shootings in the province.
On April 5, 2015, Donald Dunphy, 58, was shot and killed in his home in Mitchell’s Brook by RNC Const. Joseph Smyth. Investigations and a public inquiry concluded Smyth responded with appropriate force when Dunphy pointed a rifle at him.
On Aug. 26, 2000, Norman Reid, 43, was shot and killed just outside his home in Little Catalina by RCMP Const. John Graham. The RCMP had received a complaint that Reid had threatened the lives of children.
On Oct. 16, 2000, Darryl Power of Corner Brook was shot and killed by RNC officer Const. Fred Roche. Power, armed with two knives and a hammer, ran at the officer. Roche fired three times at Power, killing him.
On March 2, 1996, Nicholas Benteau, 34, was shot and killed by the RCMP at his father’s home in Point May on the Burin Peninsula. Benteau was described by witnesses as being drunk at the time, and fired a shotgun blast into the air and threatened the officers.