There will be no criminal charges laid in connection to the shooting death of Brydon Whitstone by an RCMP officer in North Battleford.
That announcement was made Tuesday afternoon by the Ministry of Justice in Regina.
The ministry’s executive director of communications Drew Wilby also informed a media conference call that the family of Whitstone was informed of the decision earlier that day by the investigation team.
The ministry has also confirmed the coroner’s inquest into Whitstone’s death will take place from Dec. 3 to 7 at Queen’s Bench Court in Battleford.
“This incident has affected many people, of course none more so than the family and friends of Brydon Whitstone,” Wilby said.
He also acknowledged he was somewhat limited in what he could say due to the impending inquest and the need to preserve the integrity of that process. Wilby said he expects many of the questions surrounding Whitstone’s death will be answered through the facts as presented at the inquest.
The death of Whitstone took place Oct. 21, 2017. According to a news release at that time from Saskatchewan RCMP, the incident took place at the end of a police pursuit, with the suspect’s vehicle immobilized near 15th Avenue and 105th Street.
RCMP stated in a news release at that time that in response to the driver’s actions following the pursuit, a member discharged a firearm. Whitstone was pronounced dead en route to hospital around 9:40 p.m.
An independent review took place into the death of Whitstone. The RCMP initially referred the investigation of the shooting to Regina Police Services. According to Wilby, their role was to gather facts and evidence to determine, without any bias, whether the involved RCMP member acted in contravention of their authority as a police officer and whether the involved RCMP officer was criminally responsible for the death of Whitstone.
After completing their investigation, it was provided to Public Prosecutions for their opinion.
An independent observer was also assigned by the deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general to ensure the investigation was comprehensive and thorough. That happened the day after Whitstone’s death.
Wilby said Tuesday that all the investigations are now complete. Public Prosecutions has now presented their opinion to Regina Police Service, and the independent investigation observer has also provided an opinion to deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general. It was determined no criminal charges would be laid.
“We’re confident in the investigation and the process that was followed,” Wilby said in the conference call. “I would encourage those seeking more answers to attend the inquest to gain a full account of the events on the night Whitstone died. I would also ask that people refrain from inflammatory speculation about this case on social media.”
Wilby later said it was a “terrible incident” and that no one wants to see this happen in the province of Saskatchewan.
