Saskatchewan’s police watchdog (SIRT) has been called in after a man died during an RCMP emergency response on Onion Lake Cree Nation.
According to Saskatchewan RCMP, officers were dispatched around 8:20 a.m. on March 18 to a report of an adult female being forcibly confined inside a rural residence by an armed adult male.
Police said officers from Onion Lake RCMP, along with the Saskatchewan RCMP Critical Incident Response Team, moved quickly to contain the scene.
The woman was able to exit the residence safely.
RCMP crisis negotiators then made contact with the man inside the home and attempted to have him exit peacefully.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., officers entered the residence.
The man was found inside with injuries.
Police provided emergency medical assistance, but he was later pronounced dead at the scene by EMS. His family has been notified.
Three firearms were recovered from the residence.
RCMP stated there is no indication officers discharged their firearms during the incident.
The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team has now taken over the investigation, as required under The Police Act, 1990, due to the in-custody death.
Although the incident occurred within Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction, it took place roughly four kilometres west of the Alberta border. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will assist in the oversight process.
RCMP said the information released is preliminary and may change as the investigation continues.
Further updates will be provided by SIRT as they become available.
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