Four police officers are dead after conducting a raid on a marijuana grow operation northwest of Edmonton on Thursday.
Four, FOUR police officers were killed by a pot growing sniper during a marijuana bust. Imagine that? So much for the 'pacifist pothead' stereotype. In this case the shooter turned the gun on himself. But what if he hadn't?
I think Canada needs to grow a pair and:
a) Have a 'life' sentence that entails the entire natural life of the convicted killer, and not the kinder, gentler eligible for parole after 25 years in prison. What? you were not aware that in Canada you can literally get away with murder? You can kill someone in cold blood when you're 18, get life, and 25 years later be out on parole at 43 in time to... start a new life, get married, have a couple of kids, kill someone else, whatever.
Or something very close to what I just said. I'm not a lawyer. Here you read it.
AND
b) Consider bringing back the death penalty. They had it right in the 'good ol' days. Hang 'em at the entrance of the town and leave them there so people visiting the town get good look and undertand that John Law means business. That's what I call a deterrent.
AND THEN
That's funny. When I first read the story, it clearly stated the shooter killed himself. I just went back and that whole sentence is missing from the article. Just so you don't think I made it up.
Here's the RCMP press release:
News Release
RCMP Responding to shots fired
Mayerthorpe, Alberta March 3, 2005
On March 3, 2005 at approximately 1000 am RCMP members from Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt Detachment were conducting an investigation at a rural residence near Mayerthorpe when shots were fired.
Officers conducting an investigation at a rural residence near Mayerthorpe came under fire. At this time we are able to state that there was an exchange of gun fire however due concerns for officer safety we are not able to comment on the situation further.
We do have reason to believe the male suspect is armed with a high power rifle. The area has been secured to ensure both police and public safety. Air space over the area has also been closed as a safety precaution.
Tactical resources have been deployed including: RCMP Emergency Response Teams, Major Crimes Unit and General Investigation Section, Edmonton Police Service’s Air One and Canadian Forces Base Edmonton is dispatching armored vehicles.
There has been a lot of concern expressed for the safety and well being of our Officers. The concern is very much appreciated. We are still in the process of responding to an armed and dangerous scene it is imperative we do not release any information that could further jeopardize our members’s safety.
Additional press releases will be issued when information becomes available.
- 30 -
Media Contact
Wayne A. Oakes, Cpl
Media Relations Officer
RCMP “K” Division
Media & Communications Services
780 - 786 - 2291 Mayerthorpe Det
RCMP Responding to shots fired
Mayerthorpe, Alberta March 3, 2005
On March 3, 2005 at approximately 1000 am RCMP members from Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt Detachment were conducting an investigation at a rural residence near Mayerthorpe when shots were fired.
Officers conducting an investigation at a rural residence near Mayerthorpe came under fire. At this time we are able to state that there was an exchange of gun fire however due concerns for officer safety we are not able to comment on the situation further.
We do have reason to believe the male suspect is armed with a high power rifle. The area has been secured to ensure both police and public safety. Air space over the area has also been closed as a safety precaution.
Tactical resources have been deployed including: RCMP Emergency Response Teams, Major Crimes Unit and General Investigation Section, Edmonton Police Service’s Air One and Canadian Forces Base Edmonton is dispatching armored vehicles.
There has been a lot of concern expressed for the safety and well being of our Officers. The concern is very much appreciated. We are still in the process of responding to an armed and dangerous scene it is imperative we do not release any information that could further jeopardize our members’s safety.
Additional press releases will be issued when information becomes available.
- 30 -
Media Contact
Wayne A. Oakes, Cpl
Media Relations Officer
RCMP “K” Division
Media & Communications Services
780 - 786 - 2291 Mayerthorpe Det
AND THEN
Quelle surprise. Hat-tip to Paul.
