More charges laid in incident that led to RCMP shooting and death near Smoky Lake

More charges have been laid after an officer involved shooting that resulted in one death and serious injuries for another in the Smoky Lake area earlier in August.

A 21-year-old male of Enoch Cree Nation is now facing charges of robbery with a firearm, unauthorized possession of a weapon and three counts of possession contrary to an order, two counts of pointing a firearm, as well as theft over $5000, dangerous driving, and flight from police stemming from the incident on August 8.

He was remanded into custody to speak to bail and is scheduled to attend St. Paul Provincial Court on Sept. 1.

Due to the ongoing ASIRT investigation, police said, the Alberta RCMP is unable to release the name of the accused.

RCMP and ASIRT are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the force used by the RCMP officers in the case.

At around 7:30am, St. Paul RCMP said they were “making efforts to apprehend two individuals who were suspects in several ongoing police investigations.” Police believed at the time it was a “possible abduction.”

RCMP located the vehicle at 7:27am. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled, police said.

Officers pursued and eventually successfully used a tire deflation device. The driver continued at a slower speed and during this stage of the pursuit, an occupant of the vehicle discharged a firearm in the direction of the pursuing officers, police said.

“The driver then went to the Centrex gas station in Smoky Lake. The occupants, one male and one female, exited the vehicle. The male was carrying the firearm, and together they stole a truck that was parked at the gas station. Officers arrived at the gas station, and one officer discharged their firearm at the fleeing vehicle at 7:58 a.m.,” the press release said.

Officer pursued the vehicle, which was later found abandoned in “dense trees” near Range Road 172. That’s when RCMP Emergency Response and Police Dog Units were called to the scene.

At 10:11 a.m., officers observed the male occupant in a field, police said.

“An interaction occurred between the officers and the male occupant, and officers discharged their firearms. Officers approached and located both occupants, who were wounded. A firearm was located near the man,” the release said.

Emergency medical services provided care at the scene. The male was sent to an Edmonton-area hospital by air ambulance. The female was declared deceased by EMS.

“ASIRT’s investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the uses of force.”