Regina officers shot and killed 65-year-old man after police car hit by bullets: SIRT

A Saskatchewan oversight agency has shared more details of a police shooting in Regina on Sunday, which left a 65-year-old man dead.

According to the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), which is investigating the shooting, the case began with police getting reports of a person damaging neighbours’ property in the 1100 block of Garry Street. Police attended the home on Saturday, SIRT said, but didn’t find the man they were looking for.

When police returned on Sunday afternoon, the officers spoke to the man who was the subject of the complaints. According to SIRT, based on “comments made during that conversation,” the officers called in the city’s SWAT team to surround the home while waiting for a warrant to enter.

The nature of the comments that prompted the large police response was not disclosed, but the situation came to a head about two and a half hours after the first officers arrived.

“At approximately 3:35 p.m., a confrontation occurred outside of the residence between the 65-year-old man and members of RPS,” SIRT explained in a statement.

“During these events, a marked RPS patrol vehicle was struck by several gunshots, and two RPS members discharged their service firearms, striking the man.”

READ MORE:

• SIRT investigates woman’s death after wellness check by Swift Current RCMP
• Serious Incident Response Team investigates scene in Regina
• SIRT investigates officer-involved shooting in Regina

According to SIRT, police provided first aid to the man, but he was declared dead at the scene by paramedics just six minutes after the initial confrontation.

SIRT did not say if the man who was killed was the same person who fired the shots at the police vehicle, but a pistol was found at the scene in the aftermath.

“During the course of SIRT’s investigation, a loaded, non-police handgun and several spent cartridges were recovered from the incident scene and have been secured as exhibits,” the watchdog group noted.

The response team said it will scrutinize the conduct of police during the incident and the circumstances of the man’s death, with a final report to be issued within 90 days of the end of the investigation.

SIRT further asked any members of the public who witnessed or recorded the shooting to contact the team at sirt@gov.sk.ca.