Mounties shot near Killam, search on for suspect
KILLAM — Two RCMP officers were shot and wounded at a rural residence in Alberta on Tuesday.
The two were taken to hospital for treatment. Their medical condition wasn’t released.
RCMP said they were looking for an armed suspect. Premier Alison Redford, who was briefed by the Solicitor General, said one person was in custody.
Darcy Eskra, deputy mayor of Killam, said he was told a second suspect in the shooting was dead.
“Our hopes and prayers are with their families,” Redford said.
The RCMP emergency response team and RCMP air services were dispatched to the scene between Lougheed and Sedgewick, about 160 kilometres from the city.
The officers are from the nearby Killam detachment.
Sgt. Patrick Webb scheduled a news conference Tuesday evening in Killam to release more details.
People who live in the area reported seeing at least eight RCMP cruisers and an ambulance — all with their lights flashing — driving along Highway 13.
It was the second time in recent days that Mounties were seen searching the area.
Sonny Losness, deputy mayor of Lougheed, said RCMP officers, including a police tactical squad, responded to reports of a domestic dispute involving a man who lives in a trailer near the community.
“Last week there were a lot of cops around. There was a young fellow south of town involved in a domestic dispute with his wife, but I don’t think they caught up with him,” said Losness, whose son is a Mountie in Saskatchewan.
“This was south of Lougheed. They had the SWAT team down there. He was living in a fifth-wheel trailer near a gravel pit with a lady who has a kid.”
STARS air ambulance confirmed it sent two helicopters — one from Edmonton and one from Calgary. Spokesman Cam Heke said the two officers were transported to hospital in Edmonton, but he was not aware of their conditions.
One or both helicopters were requested to return to the scene, possibly to pick up more patients, he said.
The area features rolling farmland and oil and natural gas development.
The shooting evoked memories of the fatal shootings of four RCMP officers near Mayerthorpe, Alta., in 2005. Gunman James Roszko cut down the officers while they were staking out his marijuana grow op.
Roszko then killed himself.
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