The Saskatchewan RCMP have requested the independent investigation of an officer-involved shooting in Swift Current during the evening of March 17.
The Swift Current Municipal RCMP responded to a report of an assault with a weapon in an apartment building in the 500 block of Robert St. E. at approximately 5:43 p.m. on Thursday. The police response to the incident involved the discharge of a firearm, with a 23-year-old Swift Current male suffering reported non-life threatening injuries. RCMP officers provided first aid assistance to the male before Swift Current EMS and Fire Services arrived at the scene to assist in transporting the male to hospital.
On Friday afternoon the RCMP announced that after their continuing investigation and in conjunction with Saskatchewan Crown Prosecution, Damian Gavin from Swift Current is facing 11 charges. He is charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, one count of assaulting a police officer, one count of uttering threats, one count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, three counts of failing to comply with a release order, plus three counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
Gavin will appear in Swift Current Provincial Court on March 21 at 1:30 p.m.
With the incident now subject to an external investigation, no further information can be provided.
The RCMP note that when an incident results in death or serious injury, the RCMP Act requires that an investigation be conducted by an external agency. The Saskatchewan RCMP has requested the Saskatoon Police Service conduct the independent, external investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Saskatchewan RCMP has requested the Ministry of Justice appoint an independent investigation observer in accordance with Section 91.1 of the Saskatchewan Police Act.
