An independent investigation is being launched into the shooting death of a 22-year-old Onion Lake individual by an RCMP officer in North Battleford.
Saskatchewan RCMP say they have requested an independent, external investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Brydon Bryce Whitstone, 22, of Onion Lake, Saskatchewan. Regina Police Service will conduct the investigation. As well, the RCMP has requested the Ministry of Justice appoint an independent observer. The request for an independent investigation is as per RCMP policy.
The incident took place Saturday night at around 8:55 p.m. According to a news release from Sask. RCMP on Sunday morning, members of Battlefords RCMP responded to a call from a male who reported being chased by a vehicle and shot at by the occupants. Members located the suspect vehicle and a brief pursuit was initiated. The pursuit ended soon after when, according to police, the suspect's vehicle rammed a police vehicle and was immobilized near 15th Avenue and 105th Street.
RCMP say that in response to the driver’s actions following the pursuit, a member discharged their firearm and injured one occupant of the vehicle. Despite the efforts of RCMP members and then by local EMS to try and save him, Whitstone was pronounced dead enroute to hospital around 9:40 pm.
A second suspect, an adult female, suffered minor injuries in the incident. She was taken to hospital for treatment and released, and returned to custody.
As well, one RCMP member suffered minor injuries in the pursuit. That member was also taken to hospital, treated and released.
The initial complaint of a male being chased and shot at remains under investigation.
As of Sunday morning the area around 105th Street and 15th Avenue remained cordoned off with traffic remaining restricted in the area. Police are reporting the scene is secure and there is no risk to public safety.
The RCMP held a news conference in Regina Sunday morning to comment on the shooting. At that time Maureen Levy - Criminal Operations Officer for the Saskatchewan RCMP, did not have much more to say about the incident itself in North Battleford, saying any further information on the investigation would be handled by Regina Police Service. Regina Police Service would be carrying the file "in order to maintain the integrity and the transparency of the investigation," she said.
As well, Levy confirmed that the RCMP members involved were not currently working as of Sunday morning, instead they were getting "peer-to-peer support" from different human-resources mechanisms, and when it was appropriate to return to duty they will. She said public safety was not compromised and if additional resources were needed in North Battleford they would be provided.
