[CORRECTION: the original post of this story identified the man involved as being 27 - he was 26, and would have turned 27 in December.]
UPDATE: The deceased has been identified as Ryan Booker, a mechanic, passionate outdoorsman, and father to two sons with fiancee Kaity Degagne-Hofer.
Booker's father Barry Nosal spoke with media concerning his son's death. He said that the events leading up to police fatally shooting Booker after a six-hour confrontation.
In the hours that Booker was pulled over on Highway #1 near Belle Plaine, Nosal spoke with police, gave them his number, and was asked to wait nearby. He hoped to try and talk his son down. Nosal waited for hours, but when police finally contacted him, it was to tell him his son was dead.
Nosal said he doesn't blame anyone - he simply wishes things had gone differently. Booker had told his mother he felt worthless, Nosal said, and he speculated that Booker was struggling with his mental health.
He told media that his son was not a monster. He wants it to be clear to the public that Booker was a good man whose life did not reflect the circumstances of his death.
Original article:
A 26-year-old male from Moose Jaw was killed in an officer-involved shooting the morning of July 17 on Highway #1 near Belle Plaine. The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) and Saskatchewan RCMP have requested that the Saskatoon Police Service conduct an external investigation into the event.
The incident began around 1:10 a.m. on July 17 when the MJPS received a report of a male with a firearm uttering threats. The man was located in the parking lot of the Moose Jaw Superstore. After officers spoke to the man, he left the parking lot and drove east out of the city on Highway #1.
He eventually pulled over and stopped on Highway #1 near Belle Plaine. The Saskatchewan RCMP Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), Regina Police Service Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, and the Moose Jaw Police Service Tactical Unit were on scene to assist as MJPS crisis negotiators attempted to de-escalate the situation.
Around 7 a.m., the male pointed a firearm at police and did not respond to commands. Officers opened fire and the man was injured.
Officers with advanced medical training administered first aid, but the man was declared dead at the scene. His family has been notified.
Police-involved incidents resulting in death or serious injury must be investigated by an independent external agency. In addition to the investigation to be conducted by the Saskatoon Police Service, the MJPS and Saskatchewan RCMP have asked the Ministry of Justice to appoint an observer in accordance with Section 91.1 of the Saskatchewan Police Act.
The Saskatchewan Coroner's Service will also assist.
The RCMP release states that due to the ongoing investigation, no further information will be provided.
