RCMP officer who shot and killed Slocan, B.C. man testifies at inquest
A Mountie who shot and killed a Slocan man took the stand Friday at a coroner’s inquest.
On Oct. 9, 2014, officers were called to investigate an allegation of assault between Peter De Groot and a neighbour.
It’s alleged that at that time, De Groot exchanged gunfire with officers, prompting him to hide in the bush for four days.
On Oct. 13, 2014, Cpl. Brian Burke – a dog handler with the Emergency Response Team – and another corporal found a remote cabin with an open window. They were suspicious De Groot may have been hiding there.
On Friday, a lawyer challenged Burke to explain why backup wasn’t called.
Burke said there was no radio signal in the remote area. He added that he has dealt with similar situations in the past and that the decision not to call for backup was based on his experience.
He said when the officers opened the door, they saw De Groot on the floor holding a rifle.
“He was propped up on the floor,” Burke told the inquest.
“The term I would use is a prone sniper position.”
A lawyer for the De Groot family asked Burke whether he had committed any violence against De Groot, noting there was head trauma.
Burke said he did not assault De Groot.
The lawyer also asked why De Groot wasn’t put in a “recovery position” to help him breathe.
Burke said based on his training, that position was used for choking victims.
Another lawyer challenged Burke on why he didn’t perform first aid when the other officer found that De Groot had a pulse.
Burke maintained he thought De Groot was dead.
Lawyers also asked Burke whether the ERT’s goal was to kill De Groot.
Burke refuted that suggestion.
“The goal of ERT is to contain, it is to then utilize everything in your powers to successfully negotiate to a peaceful resolution,” he said. “Unfortunately, some cases don’t resolve peacefully.”
The Independent Investigations Office cleared Burke of any wrongdoing, but that didn’t happen until late March 2018, nearly three-and-half years after the incident.
Burke filed a lawsuit, alleging the length of the probe exacerbated his post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition he was first diagnosed with in 2010 but had been able to manage with treatment.
The purpose of the coroner’s inquest is not to assign blame or guilt but to provide recommendations to prevent a similar death from happening.
The inquest is scheduled to run until Oct. 8.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.