BELLE PLAINE — A 27-year-old man from Moose Jaw has been shot by police after a standoff that shut down traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway Sunday.
A roughly six-hour interaction between the suspect and police began in Moose Jaw in the early hours of Sunday and ended on Highway 1 near Belle Plaine. As a result, the Moose Jaw Police Service and Saskatchewan RCMP have requested the Saskatoon Police Service conduct an independent, external investigation into the circumstances.
Timeline
According to Saskatchewan RCMP. around 1:10 a.m. July 17, Moose Jaw Police Service received a report of a male who was in possession of a firearm uttering threats. Moose Jaw Police Service located the male in a car in the Superstore parking lot in Moose Jaw.
For public safety reasons, at the request of Moose Jaw Police Service, RCMP officers redirected the remaining Moose Jaw-bound Safe Ride shuttles coming from Country Thunder to another safe location nearby.
The Saskatchewan RCMP Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) and Regina Police Service Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team were contacted by Moose Jaw Police Service to assist with this unfolding incident.
Police say Moose Jaw Police Service began speaking to the male, who then left the parking lot and drove out of the city, travelling eastbound on Highway 1.
The man pulled over and stopped on Highway 1 near Belle Plaine. RCMP CIRT, Regina Police Service SWAT and Moose Jaw Police Service Tactical Unit arrived to assist. Moose Jaw Police Service crisis negotiators were in contact with the male in attempts to verbally de-escalate the situation.
Police say that around 7 a.m., the adult male pointed a firearm at police officers.
A release from Saskatchewan RCMP stated, “The man did not comply with multiple police officer commands. The police response involved the discharge of a firearm and the man was injured. Police officers with advanced medical training provided immediate medical assistance. The man died at the scene.”
RCMP add that a firearm was located and seized by police at the scene.
The family of the deceased man has been notified.
There continued to be detours around a section of Highway 1 near Belle Plaine in relation to the investigation for most of the day. By 5:20 p.m., RCMP were saying the highway had been cleared.
External investigation
When a police-involved incident results in death or serious injury, an investigation is conducted by an external agency. In addition to Saskatoon Police Service conducting this investigation, the Moose Jaw Police Service and Saskatchewan RCMP have requested the Ministry of Justice appoint an independent observer in accordance with Section 91.1 of the Saskatchewan Police Act.
Also assisting with the investigation is the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service.
Because the circumstances of the matter are now the subject of an external investigation, police say, no further information can be provided.
