Neighbours recall RCMP chase, shooting in North Battleford

Shards of auto glass and pieces of plastic littered the sidewalk and grass in North Battleford Monday, where a man was shot dead by RCMP over the weekend.

Brydon Whitstone, 22, died en route to hospital Saturday evening after the car he was in rammed a police cruiser in a residential neighbourhood in the city, following a brief chase by RCMP officers.

Residents in the area described hearing a loud bang, followed by yelling and gunshots.

“The one cop had a very distinguishing voice,” said Sharon Acker, who lives next door to where the incident occurred.

“He said, ‘Get out of the car or you’ll be dead.’”

The longtime resident of the area near 15th Avenue and 105th Street said as soon as she heard the first gunshot, she locked herself in the bathroom and got low to the ground.

“I knew what it was and I hid,” she said.

Acker’s husband, Dave, said he could hear the wheels spinning as the suspect vehicle tried to get away after the ramming.

He expressed relief the car was too damaged to move.

“They would’ve crashed right through our home,” he said, noting the car was pointed in their direction.

Across the street, another witness, who preferred not to be named, watched the whole thing develop through her window.

She said the driver of the car was yelling obscenities at the officers during the altercation. She described police moving around the vehicle, smashing the windows out before the shots rang out.

Whitstone, the alleged driver, was then pulled out through the window before officers conducted CPR for about 10 minutes, when an ambulance arrived.

The witness questioned whether the shooting was necessary, echoing comments from FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.

“There was no need for that,” she said. “They could’ve tasered him, used bean bags. They didn’t have to shoot him.”

A man who recorded the incident on his phone said he’s had trouble sleeping since the shooting, and is concerned about safety in his neighbourhood.

The Ackers agreed, saying crime was becoming a bigger problem.

“We’re thinking it’s time to get out of here,” Sharon said.

2nd suspect charged

RCMP have laid charges against a woman police say was the second suspect in the vehicle during the pursuit Saturday night.

Amanda Wahobin, 28, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime.

She appeared in court Monday morning and has been remanded in custody.

Wahobin is also facing charges of robbery and breaching a court order. These two charges are not related to Saturday’s events.

She scheduled to appear again at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday in North Battleford Provincial Court.