Chief of N.S. fire hall shot at by RCMP in mass shooting glad to see scathing report – Halifax | 24CA News

During the horrifying 2020 Nova Scotia mass taking pictures that killed 22 individuals, an incident traumatized a gaggle of firefighters who say they might always remember it, whereas many overlook it.

On April 19, 2020, hours after the gunman’s rampage started, two RCMP officers started taking pictures at a person in entrance of a hearth corridor in Onslow, N.S., pondering they’d discovered the suspect. In reality, firefighters had been inside terrified, pondering it was the killer who was firing pictures.

Two days after the Mass Casualty Commission launched the long-awaited report into the lethal taking pictures, the chief of the Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade, Greg Muise, stated he was glad to see the RCMP slammed with suggestions.

Muise stated he believes individuals typically overlook what had occurred on the corridor.

“I can remember it all,” Muise stated.

The corridor was arrange as a consolation centre for the group that day, with an RCMP officer stationed in entrance of the corridor.

Muise was within the corridor when he first heard the pictures fired simply after 10 a.m.

“We all took off running … Two shots came through our main door, hit the truck,” he stated. “We still didn’t know what was going on outside.”

Muise stated he recollects sooner or later two Mounties got here in and instructed them to shelter in place, however stated he by no means received an apology from the RCMP.

“We were in that room for an hour and never knew what was going on. It was a hard day for us, and it still is.”

Looking again, he stated it appeared the Mounties didn’t even look who was there earlier than they began firing. According to Muise, the individuals on the within of the corridor thought the killer was outdoors, whereas it appeared the officers thought he was inside.

Const. Terry Brown and Const. Dave Melanson testified earlier than the fee of the inquiry in May of 2022, and stated they believed they’d discovered the shooter and defended their actions as in line with their coaching.

The incident brought about $43,000 in injury to the corridor, Muise stated.

“They saw they did wrong at the time … I just told them we want things to move on, we don’t want our hall with bullet holes in it,” he stated, including the RCMP did pay for the injury.

But, he stated the police drive by no means took accountability for the trauma they brought about the firefighters. Muise nonetheless sees a counsellor each different week.

“I could never get over it … I’m the chief, and when I have a hard time coming to the fire hall – that’s not right.”

‘Too late’ for apology, firefighter says

Deputy chief of the fireplace division Darrell Currie agrees. He was additionally on the corridor the morning of the taking pictures.

“I assumed that I would be dead that day,” Currie stated. “It was very poorly handled, and continues to be,” he stated of the RCMP. “Some accountability, I think it would’ve gone a long way.”

In a Friday interview, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley stated: “I did reach out by email to two other people who were deeply affected by the incident and offered to meet and have not received a response, but I remain willing to meet at any time with those other two individuals.”

The assistant commissioner didn’t specify who precisely these two individuals had been, however each Muise and Currie stated an apology nearly three years later wouldn’t take away the psychological anguish the incident brought about.

“I’m on long-term disability now,” Currie stated. “I haven’t been able to work. I’ve been through dozens of different medications that help with depression and anxiety.”

Though it’s “too late for an apology”, there’s nonetheless room for accountability, he stated.

2:03Final Nova Scotia mass taking pictures report requires adjustments in RCMP, rethinking policing

Currie stated he was pleasantly shocked with the Mass Casualty Commission’s ultimate report, significantly their suggestions for the police drive.

The report detailed the RCMP’s varied failures in stopping, responding to, and reacting within the aftermath of the tragedy, and stated the establishment as a complete must be re-examined.

On the day of the report’s launch, the interim RCMP commissioner and the top of the Nova Scotia RCMP stated they’re dedicated to reviewing the suggestions, however each admitted they haven’t learn the doc.

For firefighter Currie, the discharge of the report was a milestone – one he hoped would convey him closure.

“I had hoped it would be some closure, and I think it is because of the recommendations … assuming the recommendations are followed through.”

— with recordsdata from Vanessa Wright and Alex Cooke 

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