Loss
Two Mounties shot in Sask. have died: report
Updated Sun. Jul. 16 2006 11:02 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Both members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who were shot on July 7 in Saskatchewan have died.
The Canadian Press, citing sources in the Prime Minister's Office, reported the tragic development.
The RCMP has not confirmed the report, but a news conference is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.
The Mounties, constables Robin Cameron, 29, and Marc Bourdages, 26, were shot near the small farming community of Mildred, Sask. as they pursued a suspect.
Both officers were taken to hospital in Saskatoon, where they both underwent extensive surgery for their injuries.
Curtis Dagenais, 41, is still wanted in connection with the shooting.
The two Mounties and a third officer were responding to a report that an assault had taken place at about 9 p.m. on July 7.
The suspect in the assault fled in a vehicle, and the officers pursued him, but were reportedly fired on when the man stopped.
The third officer returned fire on the suspect, but it is not known if he was struck.
The suspect then fled the scene on foot.
Since then, police have carried out a massive, so far unsuccessful manhunt for Dagenais, the suspected shooter.
Police now suggest Dagenais may have fled the province or died while hiding in the forest. His father, Arthur Dagenais, worries his son may have taken his own life.
In March 2005, four RCMP officers were shot and killed in Mayerthorpe, Alta. by James Roszko while they were on his property to investigate stolen parts and a marijuana grow operation. Roszko then took his own life.
posted by Dave at 11:07 AM
3 Comments:
That sucks. This type of thing is unusual in Canada, correct? The gun culture in the States is much more prone to this type of event, I believe, but I don't frequent the Canadian news sites (only the BBC).
I've only been to Canada once, and that was about a week and a half in Calgary and then the Canadian Rockies, hiking. Beautiful area up there.
Unfortunately, it's becoming more and more prevalent. While incidents of handgun violence in Canada are relatively low (outside of Toronto), given the large rural and wilderness areas of Canada, we have a vast amount of long guns (rifles and shotguns) out there. In this instance, the Constables entered a chase with the suspect. Once his car was disabled/stopped, he got out with a high powered rifle. He would have had superior ability with respect to distance and stopping power (our vests will not protect us from that calibre of weapon). In this case, the latter point is moot, as they were shot in the head.
Dave, I wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss... although I guess it's actually everybody's loss, too.
I heard that the suspect turned himself in. Hope he stays in jail for a long time...
ps. be safe out there
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