Mounties have suspect in RCMP shooting death
07/10/2007 10:10:21 PM
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The RCMP has identified a suspect in Saturday's shooting death of one of their officers in Hay River, N.W.T.
They're not releasing any more details about the suspect, and they've made no arrests. But they told a packed press conference on Sunday that area residents don't have anything to fear. But they did not explain their statement further when pressed by residents and media.
"The investigative team has identified a suspect and we are actively pursuing all avenues of investigation. To protect the integrity of the investigation we are unable to share further details at this time,'' he said.
"Investigators believe there is no immediate threat to the community of Hay River.''
Police told about 100 residents, reporters, and political officials gathered at the media briefing that they took down roadblocks in the area Sunday morning.
RCMP Const. Christopher John Worden was killed early Saturday morning after responding to a complaint. Police have reported that they lost contact with the officer. When two colleagues went to look for him, he was found in a wooded area suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to hospital, where he was died from his injuries.
"This news has been absolutely devestating to us," one resident told CTV News on Sunday.
"To hear this news is a really tight-knit community, especially with the RCMP officers," said Kevin Wallington.
An on-line memorial has already been set up for Worden. One friend wrote, he was "so likeable and bright. You couldn't help but like him. He and the RCMP just fit. This is a tremendous loss."
The death has turned Thanksgiving into a somber occasion in Hay River, where the small, tight-knit community is mourning Worden's.
The Mountie and his family were in the prayers of churchgoers in the town's four churches. At the Anglican Church, Pastor Vivian Smith said the community put the officer in their thoughts as soon as they heard about his murder Saturday.
"The prayers are continuing and will continue. They are sombre services,'' Smith said on Sunday.
"It is supposed to be Thanksgiving day for us but we don't feel like it is a day of Thanksgiving.''
As the town prays and police continue to hunt for suspects in the shooting death of Const. Worden, some are raising questions over rural policing procedures.
Details remain scarce surrounding the events of the shooting; however, it is known that Worden, 30, was alone when dispatched to a complaint at a Hay River, N.W.T. residence at 5 a.m. Saturday morning.
The community of 3,600 is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, 400 kilometres south of Yellowknife.
Analyst John Muise, a spokesperson for the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness and 30-year police veteran, told CTV Newsnet on Sunday that officers often face increased risks in remote settings.
"Very often you have officers who could be on their own patrolling but in addition, there's no backup necessarily within miles," Muise said.
"I don't know the circumstances of this particular case, but it's very typical in remote or rural settings for police officers to be attending what are often dangerous calls with backup being potentially miles away."
Muise said Worden's death will inevitably raise procedural questions for the RCMP, especially in remote areas of the country where resources are often strained.
"If it's only resources that separated this officer from having a partner than that is a fair question and is a question that will need an answer because quite frankly, I understand that policing is expensive, but to lose a life unnecessarily is unacceptable," Muise said.
On Saturday, Sgt. Larry O'Brien said officers currently had no information on the type of complaint Worden was responding to, but confirmed he responded alone.
"Depending on what the nature of the complaint was, it is quite common for members to attend on their own -- especially in the north where we have smaller detachments," he said.
Worden joined the Mounties in 2002 and had spent most of his career in the Northwest Territories.
Worden's wife, Jody, and infant daughter live in Hay River.
Residents of Hay River have been bringing flowers to the RCMP detachment since word of the officer's death.
No arrests had been made as of Saturday night.
Worden's death comes less than a week after Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day pledged legislation and funding to ensure the work of Canadian law enforcement is not undermined.
Day made the annoucement while addressing a crowd on Parliament Hill last Sunday for the 30th Police and Peace Officer's Memorial, Day -- an annual day of rememberence for fallen officers and their families.
"I give a commitment to these family members here and to all these officers here that my colleagues and I will continue to do the work ... to bring in the type of legislation that helps you to realize as officers that the work you do will not wind up in frustration ... and that you'll have the resources you need to do the job properly," Day said to the friends and family of fallen officers.
With a files from The Canadian Press
