The RCMP is indicating a man officers killed fired on police while they attempted to execute arrest warrants on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. At approximately 4 p.m. Jan.
The RCMP is indicating a man officers killed fired on police while they attempted to execute arrest warrants on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
At approximately 4 p.m. Jan. 7, RCMP Major Crimes, RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) went to a residence in Morley to execute the warrants issued following the discovery of Lorenzo “Billie ” Bearspaw’s body Jan. 6.
Police observed several people in the house when they arrived. Among them was John Stephens, who was immediately located and taken into custody without incident.
When officers attempted to enter the basement, they were fired upon. The police deployed tear gas and retreated to safety upstairs, while the rest of people present were taken outside for safety.
Later and accompanied by a woman, Ralph Stephens, armed with a shotgun, climbed through the basement window where police had the house surrounded. Stephens engaged in a confrontation with officers that resulted in shots being fired. The suspect was seriously injured and transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries an hour later.
Special Tactical Operations and Police Dog Services discovered Bearspaw’s body on Jan. 6 after a joint search and rescue effort that was initiated when he was reported missing on Jan. 3.
Following the discovery of Bearspaw's body, police identified three suspects and obtained arrest warrants for first degree murder for brothers John Stephens, 29, Ralph Stephens, 27, and Deangelo Powderface, 22.
“These events are tragic for the families, first responders and the Morley Community, ” said Chief Superintendent Tony Hamori, Officer in charge of Southern Alberta District RCMP. “ On behalf of the RCMP, I want to extend sincere condolences to the families of Lorenzo Bearspaw and Ralph Stephens. I also urge calm in the community while the investigations take place. ”
Powderface turned himself in to the police Sunday evening after RCMP put out a public call for him to turn himself in earlier that day.
John Stephens and Powderface are currently in custody.
ASIRT’s investigation will focus on whether the conduct of the involved officer caused the death of the man and, if so, whether that conduct constituted a criminal offence.
An autopsy for Stephens is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
