(CBC News) – A fatality inquiry concluded two Vegreville RCMP officers were justified in shooting a man three years ago.
Leo Raymond Poulin, 59, was shot twice July 12, 2008 in a Vegreville parking lot after he ignored orders to put down a loaded sawed-off shotgun.
Poulin had called 911 to warn RCMP he was heading to the detachment saying, “You better deal with me or I’m going to deal with you.”
His blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit for driving and he suffered from depression.
According to the fatality inquiry report, Poulin drove downtown and got out of his SUV carrying his shotgun.
Two constables surrounded Poulin, ordering him to put the weapon down. He refused, telling the officers, “Just shoot me”.
The shotgun was later found to have a live round in the chamber and four more in the magazine.
Judge Douglas Rae concluded the officers had no choice and could not have waited any longer before shooting Poulin.
Rae also noted the testimony of witnesses describing the shooting.
“The two members were very focused, very calm, faced with a bad situation,” his report quoted one witness.
“They weren’t belittling him. They weren’t threatening him at all.
“It was a pretty impressive scenario; neither of those guys were very old. ”
The officers were justified in believing their lives were at risk and should be commended for their professionalism, said Rae.
Rae made no recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.
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