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7:00 AM: James Roszko's aunt awakens to find the white pick-up truck parked in her yard.
8:00 AM: Two Edmonton Auto Theft members depart for the Roszko farm.
Prior to 9:00 AM:
Mayerthorpe RCMP Constables Peter Schiemann and Brock Myrol attend local Vet,
clinic before returning to Roszko farm. They obtain a cocktail of Rompum
(TM) Xylazine and Acepomazine and a syringe. They intend to inject the drugs
into meat they have and sedate Roszko's guard dogs.
9:05 AM: Cpl. Martin checked in with members at the scene
who advised there had not been any sightings of Roszko during their shift.
Cst. Schiemann, who was at the detachment, was preparing to go to Edmonton
to purchase work related equipment and supplies. As it is generally inappropriate
to shop in uniform, his supervisor approved civilian dress for these duties.
He was on duty and on shift at the time.
Another member was scheduled to drive Cst. Myrol to the scene to relieve Cst.
Gordon. That member was called back to Whitecourt at the last minute so Cst.
Schiemann volunteered to drive Cst. Myrol to the Roszko property.
9:10 AM: Cst. Schiemann departed Mayerthorpe Detachment,
driving Cst. Myrol to the scene. Cpl. Martin was preparing to depart at
the same time when discussions arose concerning the twodogs at the Roszko
property. He was further delayed by a phone call from the Green Team. While
en route, Cpl. Martin heard on the radio that Auto Theft was just arriving.
Cpl. Whipple also departed Mayerthorpe Detachment to assist Cpl. Martin
with the ongoing search. At this point, Constables' Schiemann and Myrol
were 10 to 15 minutes ahead of Corporals' Martin and Whipple.
When the two Auto Theft members arrived, they were armed and in plain clothes.
They noted two members on top of a shed and the other two watching from below,
a short distance from the Quonset. After administering a sedative to dogs penned
in the shed the officers proceeded to the Quonset.
9:57-10:00 AM: The four members on scene; Constables
Gordon, Johnston, Myrol and Schiemann then were observed walking east
along the south side of the Quonset until they entered, as noted by the
Auto Theft members who were readying their equipment and preparing to
put on coveralls.
Moments after the four constables entered the Quonset, gun fire was heard from
inside. Cst. Vigor, also a member of the Emergency Response Team, yelled out
to his partner and began to proceed towards the front of the structure.
As Cst. Vigor neared the Police cars parked close to the front of the Quonset,
he observed a male, later identified as James Roszko, exit. Mr. Roszko had
in his possession; a Heckler and Koch Model .308 cal. assault rifle with a
20 round magazine, a semi-automatic pistol in his waist band and another long
barrel firearm slung over his shoulder.
Mr. Roszko fired rounds at Cst. Vigor, narrowly missing him, however striking
the parked police car. Cst. Vigor fired rounds at Mr. Roszko who was observed
to re-enter the Quonset. The second Auto Theft member used his vehicle to provide
cover for Cst. Vigor who immediately called for back-up as both members repositioned
themselves.
Due to lighting and positioning, the Auto Theft members were not able to see
inside the building. Efforts to communicate with the officers or suspect inside
were met with no response.
Cpl Martin, upon hearing the call for back-up, notified neighbouring detachments.
As officers arrived they secured the area.
10:19 AM: A call was received for the Edmonton Emergency Response Team to deploy. At this time, officers at the scene believe one member inside the Quonset was down. The whereabouts or status of the other three members and Mr. Roszko was unknown.
In addition to the Emergency Response Team (ERT), additional resources
were deployed including; Police Service Dog, Explosive Disposal Unit, Air
Service provided by Edmonton Police Service's Air One, STARS Air Ambulance
and the Red Deer Emergency Response Team.
While en route the ERT Commander obtained authority to request armored vehicles
be dispatched by the Department of National Defense, Edmonton. Three vehicles,
including an armored ambulance were dispatched.
As resources arrived, they were assigned appropriate areas of responsibility.
12:30 PM: RCMP calls military for assistance.
2:00 PM: At about 2:00 pm, members from the Explosive
Disposal Unit deployed their Remote Mechanical Investigator - a robot,
to enter and assess the inside of the Quonset.
2:18 PM: The command was given for ERT to enter the Quonset.
The plan was to move the members out of the Quonset for possible medical
attention. At this point, the situation was treated as unsafe until determined
to be secure. The scene was subsequently secured with no evidence of any
other persons being involved.
The entire scene was ordered locked down and "K" Division RCMP Major Crimes
were called in to conduct the investigation.
Major Crimes and General Investigation members were dispatched from Edmonton
and Calgary.
To provide investigative assistance and independent oversight, a senior RCMP
officer from British Columbia was tasked to take the lead on this investigation,
assisted by a team from the BC ("E" Division) Major Crimes Unit.
Forensic Identification Specialists were dispatched from Edmonton, Winnipeg,
Regina and Halifax.
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