ASIRT releases report on 2019 Cochrane fatal standoff

An investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has deemed a fatal shooting of a Cochrane man by the RCMP as a reasonable use of force in a six-hour standoff on West Gissing Rd. in West Valley that shook Cochrane on Dec. 7, 2019.

"The (subject officer) fired two shots at the AP, killing him," it states in the report, released by Matthew Block, ASIRT assistant executive director. "Due to the threat that the [man] presented to the officers and the public, this was a reasonable use of force. There are no reasonable grounds to believe that an offence was committed."

Throughout the standoff and even before, the man's state of mind was in question, some suggesting he was behaving in a suicidal manner.

"From his words and actions that night, the [man] wanted to get into a violent exchange with police officers," states the report. "He repeatedly made references to his own death, from telling the WO (witness officer) that only a coroner would get him out of the residence to writing “DNR,” short for “do not resuscitate,” on himself before he exited."

There were two other loaded 22-calibre rifles in the garage. (photo/ASIRT report)

The serious incident shortly after 7 p.m. the evening before.

When officers arrived, the man barricaded himself into the home and refused to come out unarmed.

At 7:49 p.m., Cochrane RCMP setup containment around the residence and asked for an emergency response team (ERT) to attend. They had been informed he may be suicidal and was reported to have shot firearms within the residence.

The RCMP setup containment around the home at 7:49 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2019. (file photo)

At 9:21, ERT arrived on scene near the residence. The man was believed to be in the garage, something that was confirmed when he fired eight shots at a tactical armoured vehicle (TAV) removing the garage door at 12:57 a.m. (The ERT had previously smashed the front door window and opened the door before backing away.). One bullet passed through the garage door and at least one hit the TAV.

The ERT officers then shot out the basement window, raising a response from the man inside. He told the officer in a text to stop, threatened to shoot, and said he didn't wish to hurt anyone.

He then "asked if the dogs were out and texted, “I wanna say goodbye if they aren't. I'm coming out with a loaded gun. Back off. Let me say goodbye to the dogs.”

A gunshot came from inside the residence at 1:33 a.m., something the man said was a mistake.

After continued attempts to have him come out unarmed, the police deployed gas into the house shortly after 1:35 a.m. Minutes later, two dogs came out of the broken basement window, followed by the man, who was carrying a rifle in his left hand.

Once again, the police yelled at the man to drop the gun and stop. He looked at the police but did not drop his weapon.

"He continued to walk toward a motorhome parked in front of the residence. Multiple ERT officers including the subject officer (SO) made the decision to fire at the [man]." 

One shot missed and the other hit him in the right arm and went into his chest.

It was confirmed he was carrying a loaded 22-calibre Ruger with a full 10-round magazine.

First aid was immediately provided by officers and an ERT medic took over his care before an ambulance, stationed nearby, transported him to the hospital. He was declared deceased at the hospital.

A nearby resident told the RCMP that he heard officers speaking to the man throughout the incident, saw him crawl out of a window and walk slowly.

"His hands were by his shoulders, but he could not tell if he was holding anything," the report relays. "He heard officers tell him to put the gun down and get on his knees. The [man] did not comply, and instead made a run for it."

The witness said he heard two pops, a boom, and the man fell.

In its conclusion, the report states the man was arrestable for charges of uttering threats, breach of firearms prohibition, and assault, and appeared to have presented a considerable risk to himself and others.

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Left, bullet holes, circled in black, and bullet marks, circled in white) in the residence. Right, second loaded 22-calibre rifle found in the garage.  (photos/ASIRT report)