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Lessons to be learned from tragedy

The investigation into the shooting of Corey Lewis found the actions of RCMP officer who fired the fatal shots were justified and it was the correct decision. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) investigated the incident and on Feb.

The investigation into the shooting of Corey Lewis found the actions of RCMP officer who fired the fatal shots were justified and it was the correct decision.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) investigated the incident and on Feb. 4 the results of its investigation were announced at a press conference in Calgary.

The shooting was sparked by a five-hour stand-off on July 18, 2010 at Lewis’ Okotoks home. Police shot Lewis, the husband of former Okotoks councillor Naydene Lewis, after he stepped from his house carrying an object and crouching into a firing stance in the dark.

According to the ASIRT report the officer who killed Lewis could not have known the victim was unarmed. The long object he was pointing at police was an umbrella. However, Lewis must have known the possible outcome of the situation when he came out of his house into the dark and knelt down in a firing position pointing a potential weapon at armed police officers.

Although the incident has not been ruled a suicide and the neither the RCMP or ASIRT have stated suicide notes were found in the house, it appears Lewis wanted a confrontation with police and he may have achieved the outcome he wanted.

There were notes in the house indicating he was planning a confrontation with police. Also, he turned off his porch light making the scene outside his use even darker. In addition, the police knew there was up to five long guns in the home including a shotgun.

Lewis came out of his house in the dark night in a threatening manner and, unfortunately, tragic results can be expected.

Although no one truly knows what Lewis’ true intentions were that night and the ASIRT investigation found the shooting justified it does not mean lessons cannot be learned from the incident.

For instance Naydene said she does not blame the RCMP officer who shot her husband nor does she hold any ill will. She does, however, question the preparedness of the ASIRT team. The Okotoks street was extremely dark and additional lighting may have helped the RCMP officers see Lewis was not carrying a gun.

As a result, ASIRT teams should look at adding floodlights or even spotlights to their standard equipment to ensure officers have a clear view of what they are facing.

In addition, although the officer was cleared of any wrongdoing, he did fire six shots at Lewis hitting him three times. It is difficult for a civilian to comprehend the strain an officer must face in such a situation especially when a perpetrator is aiming what looks to be a gun in your direction. However, six shots do appear to be excessive and the RCMP should take steps to ensure minimal force is used when taking down a potentially dangerous subject.

The ASIRT investigation came to the correct conclusion, but hopefully this is not the end of the story for the RCMP. The final conclusion will be when the police officers are able to implement some of the lessons learned in what was a tragedy for the Lewis family.




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