On Sunday at about 3:47 p.m., the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) received a notification from the Regina Police Service (RPS) regarding an officer-involved shooting on the 1100 block of Garry Street in Regina.
The Civilian Executive Director of SIRT accepted the notification, determining it fell within SIRT’s mandate, and directed an investigation into the incident.
The events leading up to the shooting began several days prior when the RPS received reports of a 65-year-old man residing on Garry Street damaging neighboring property. RPS officers commenced an investigation and, on May 18, attended the location but did not encounter the individual. The following day, May 19, RPS received another report about the same man. At approximately 1:07 p.m., RPS patrol members arrived at the scene.
Upon arrival, the officers communicated with the man. Following certain comments made during the conversation, the officers decided to contain the residence while seeking judicial authorization to enter. The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was engaged and attended the location. At approximately 3:35 p.m., a confrontation occurred outside the residence between the man and the RPS members. During this confrontation, several gunshots struck a marked RPS patrol vehicle, and two RPS members discharged their service firearms, striking the man.
RPS Tactical EMS, staged nearby, immediately relocated to the scene to provide care for the man. Despite their efforts, the man was declared deceased at the scene at approximately 3:41 p.m.
Following the notification, a SIRT team comprising the Civilian Executive Director and four investigators was deployed to Regina to begin the investigation. A loaded non-police handgun and several spent cartridges were recovered from the scene and secured as exhibits. SIRT is now investigating the conduct of the police officers involved, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. RPS will maintain responsibility for any investigation into the original property damage incident.
SIRT is asking anyone who directly witnessed the incident or has video footage to contact them at sirt@gov.sk.ca. No further information will be released at this time, but a final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation’s conclusion.
SIRT’s mandate includes investigating cases of serious injury, death, sexual assault, or interpersonal violence arising from police actions or while an individual is in police custody.
