The suspect in the shootings of two St. Albert RCMP officers Saturday morning is dead and both officers are still in hospital, confirm police.
The suspect in the shootings of two St. Albert RCMP officers Saturday morning is dead and both officers are still in hospital, confirm police. The suspect was since identified as 34-year-old Shawn Maxwell Rehn of the greater Edmonton area. Rehn was known to police.
Rehn was found dead inside a Sturgeon County house near Sturgeon Valley golf course. The house was unoccupied at the time.
Police did not speak with the suspect or fire their weapons when they entered the home to arrest him, said RCMP at a Saturday afternoon news conference.
Police tracked the man after two shots were fired inside Apex Casino around 3 a.m., injuring two officers. The officers were called to the casino to investigate a stolen vehicle.
Both officers remain in hospital with serious injuries.
Const. David Matthew Wynn, 42, joined the RCMP in 2009. He remains in grave condition.
"Is his survival at stake? Absolutely," said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Marlin Degrand.
Wynn was equipped with a 9 mm sidearm.
Auxilary Const. Derek Walter Bond, 49, has worked with the RCMP in a volunteer capacity since 2008.
Bond did not carry a firearm, but was armed with pepper spray and a baton. Auxiliary officers are often involved with community policing.
The officers did not have a chance to return fire, said Degrand.
At this time, no other suspects are being sought in the shooting, say police.
The stolen vehicle was recovered near where the suspect was found.
Police cordoned off the casino, the area around the Sturgeon Valley golf course and surrounding neighbourhoods during their search.
RCMP and the City of St. Albert alerted the public to avoid the area southeast of the golf course Saturday morning as the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.
"On behalf of city council and the residents of St. Albert, our prayers are with the two RCMP officers who were shot in the line of duty early this morning. The RCMP members and auxiliary officers protecting our community put their own safety at risk to ensure our own," said Mayor Nolan Crouse.
He said he is unaware of a similar incident happening in St. Albert's history.
"I know all Albertans stand in unity and gratitude alongside those impacted by the events earlier today as together we hope for the recovery of both officers," said Premier Jim Prentice in a statement.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Tea (ASIRT) will conduct an independent review into the circumstances of the suspect's death.
Neighbours react
Residents of the neighbourhood where the shooter was found dead were shocked. They said they were praying for the recovery of the two officers.
John Pichlyk lives next door to the home where the shooter was found.
He said the family woke early Saturday morning to the sound of a helicopter flying over the area. The police later told them that the suspect was in their neighbour’s home.
While Pichlyk can see his neighbour's home through the trees in his yard, he heard no sound coming from it. He said the family was not worried about their safety but remained home all day to watch the news.
“St. Albert is not used to this,” he said.
“We are praying for the officer in grave condition,” his wife added.
A few houses down the road, Ted Elkins ventured out at 6 a.m. to see why a helicopter was flying over his home. He saw nothing at the time. But his daughter phoned later that morning to ask if they were okay.
“She said you better turn on the news because it’s pretty darn serious,” he said.
He said his family was grieving with the families of the injured officers.
“It’s very sad, it’s terrible. They are investigating a stolen vehicle and next thing they are fighting for their life,” he said.
“Sometimes you think it’s only on TV. And this is actually a little too close to home for me,” he added.
With files from Viola Pruss.
