RCMP Watch

250 News

The  family of Kevin St. Arnaud, the young man shot to death by  an RCMP officer in Vanderhoof in December of 2004,  has mixed feelings on the news the Public Complaints Commissioner is expanding his investigation.   (See Chair of Complaints Commission Revises St. Arnaud Probe)

(at left,  Kevin’s mother, Delores Young, and step father, Brian Young,  stand beside soccer field where Kevin died.  photo was taken in January  2007 by  opinion250 during the Coroner’s Inquest into  Kevin’s death)

Kevin’s step father, Brian Young  says, “The Commission  alleging  the RCMP failed to conduct an adequate investigation into the death of Kevin is good news, but I got to tell you I don’t hold out much hope that anything of good will come out of it.”

Young  is still looking for answers as to why  Constable Ryan Sheremetta  fired his gun “I think we had a power tripping cop who chased Kevin into that field with his gun drawn , then he says he put it back in the holster and then drew it again shooting Kevin.”

Young also has questions about the investigation “You had a guy who was in charge of the investigation who didn’t do much of a job at it with the result that we are where we are.”
Lawyer Cameron Ward, who represented members of the family at the Vanderhoof inquest says he is encouraged with the new developments in a case that so far has not had many encouraging moments. “Kevin’s family seeks justice and this may be one small step in achieving that,” says Cameron Ward.
He continues to work on the case, “ I have not heard from the Crown Attorney’s office on my request that they reconsider charges in the matter, they still haven’t got back to me on that front.”

While it is understood the RCMP have instructed Constable Colleen Erickson that she is not to speak with the media about the shooting, her testimony at the Coroner’s inquest  differed  to that of Ryan Sheremetta. The Public Complaints Commissioner could compel her to testify.

On May 22nd the inquest into the death of Ian Bush, who also was shot to death by an RCMP officer, will begin in Houston before Coroner,  Shane deMeyer.