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Four Alberta RCMP officers killed during raid
CTV.ca News Staff
Four police officers are dead after conducting a raid on a marijuana grow operation northwest of Edmonton on Thursday.
At approximately 10 a.m. MT, a shootout broke out between police and a male suspect at a farmhouse in Rochfort Bridge near the community of Mayerthorpe, about 130 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
Alberta Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko says the officers were executing a search warrant when they were met with gunfire.
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes confirms that the officers were conducting an investigation at a rural residence. He said there was reason to believe a lone male suspect was armed with a high-powered rifle.
RCMP Commanding Officer Bill Sweeney says a fifth person was killed at the scene, though he wouldn't confirm it was the gunman.
In an early evening news conference from Mayerthorpe, Sweeney said: "As you can well imagine, the loss of four police officers is unprecedented in recent history in Canada. . . . It's devastating."
He added that not since the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 have so many police officers been killed in the line of duty.
The RCMP has not released the names of the deceased officers, as they are still in the process of notifying family members. Sweeney said three of the officers were based in Mayerthorpe, and one was from Whitecourt, Alberta.
In a statement, Prime Minister Paul Martin said:
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the officers who were killed as they carried out their duty in enforcing the law and protecting the public.
"At this moment of difficulty and loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers."
Martin was kept informed of the developing events during phone conversations Thursday with RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli.
The prime minister was expected to call for a moment of silence Friday before delivering a speech to the Liberal party national convention in Ottawa.
Maj. Scott Lundy, a spokesman for Edmonton Garrison, said the military received a request just after 12:30 p.m. MT from the RCMP for assistance.
He said two armoured personnel carriers, an ambulance and about 20 military personnel were dispatched from the military base shortly after that.
But about two hours later, police told the military their help was no longer needed.
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein said he was surprised and saddened that such a tragedy would occur in the quiet farming community.
"I would hope that it would serve as a lesson for all those who want to enter into something illegal not to do so," he said.
CTV.ca News Staff
Four police officers are dead after conducting a raid on a marijuana grow operation northwest of Edmonton on Thursday.
At approximately 10 a.m. MT, a shootout broke out between police and a male suspect at a farmhouse in Rochfort Bridge near the community of Mayerthorpe, about 130 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
Alberta Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko says the officers were executing a search warrant when they were met with gunfire.
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes confirms that the officers were conducting an investigation at a rural residence. He said there was reason to believe a lone male suspect was armed with a high-powered rifle.
RCMP Commanding Officer Bill Sweeney says a fifth person was killed at the scene, though he wouldn't confirm it was the gunman.
In an early evening news conference from Mayerthorpe, Sweeney said: "As you can well imagine, the loss of four police officers is unprecedented in recent history in Canada. . . . It's devastating."
He added that not since the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 have so many police officers been killed in the line of duty.
The RCMP has not released the names of the deceased officers, as they are still in the process of notifying family members. Sweeney said three of the officers were based in Mayerthorpe, and one was from Whitecourt, Alberta.
In a statement, Prime Minister Paul Martin said:
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the officers who were killed as they carried out their duty in enforcing the law and protecting the public.
"At this moment of difficulty and loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers."
Martin was kept informed of the developing events during phone conversations Thursday with RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli.
The prime minister was expected to call for a moment of silence Friday before delivering a speech to the Liberal party national convention in Ottawa.
Maj. Scott Lundy, a spokesman for Edmonton Garrison, said the military received a request just after 12:30 p.m. MT from the RCMP for assistance.
He said two armoured personnel carriers, an ambulance and about 20 military personnel were dispatched from the military base shortly after that.
But about two hours later, police told the military their help was no longer needed.
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein said he was surprised and saddened that such a tragedy would occur in the quiet farming community.
"I would hope that it would serve as a lesson for all those who want to enter into something illegal not to do so," he said.
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