On Sept. 28, RCMP officers in Whitehorse prepared to arrest a man with outstanding warrants. Officers from the Whitehorse crime reduction unit, Whitehorse police dog services, and Whitehorse and Yellowknife emergency response teams were deployed in the Porter Creek area.
At 7:30 p.m., the man exited a residence. Some officers moved toward the residence while others established containment around the area. The man fled on foot and encountered one of the containment officers. There was an exchange of gunfire, and both the officer and the affected person suffered serious injuries.
RCMP officers on scene administered emergency first aid to both the man and the officer. Both injured parties were taken to a hospital.
A non-police firearm was seized from the scene. ASIRT has also seized an RCMP patrol rifle.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the use of force. No additional information will be released.
As part of its ongoing investigation, ASIRT is continuing efforts to identify people who may have witnessed aspects of the confrontation between the man and police. ASIRT is asking anyone who may have been in the area and may have witnessed these events and/or may have video to contact investigators at 780-644-1483.
ASIRT operates in the Yukon under the framework agreement with the Yukon government. ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.