RCMP Watch

Vernon, B.C. (Canadian Press) - The RCMP say they used a Taser with little effect before they were forced to shoot and kill a knife-wielding man in Vernon, B.C.

The Mounties say they went to an apartment to arrest a man under the Mental Health Act on Thursday because they had been advised he was suicidal.

“There were concerns he could be causing himself harm,” southeast district commander Don Harrison told a news conference Friday.

Officers first tried to make phone contact with the man and could hear the phone ringing inside the apartment. But no one answered so they forced their way inside out of concern for the man’s safety, said Cmdr. Harrison.

“Members entered and found the male in an agitated state and in possession of a knife,” he said.

Cmdr. Harrison said the officers tried talking to the man but he refused to drop the knife.”

“A Taser was utilized but only had momentary effect on the male,” he said. “He again advanced on the members inside the apartment with the knife.

“He continued to disobey the verbal commands to drop the knife, which resulted in deadly force being used.”

Cmdr. Harrison said two shots were fired.

Another Mountie at the scene administered first aid until an ambulance arrived. The victim was taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital where he later died, RCMP said in a news release.

Harrison said an independent investigator from the Calgary Police has been called in to review the shooting, and the investigation will be monitored by the RCMP Public Complaints Commissioner.

“The investigation is focusing on but is not limited to the officers’ use of force and the deployment of their intervention options to determine whether or not their actions were in line with both RCMP policy and the Criminal Code,” Cmdr. Harrison said.

The coroner is also investigating.

The name of the dead man was not released and Cmdr. Harrison did not say whether one or both officers who responded to the call had fired their guns.

Police said an autopsy was scheduled for Friday.