Inquest scheduled for Sask. man killed in shootout with RCMP

(Courtesy: Marshall's Funeral Home)

The province’s coroner has scheduled an inquest into the death of Trent Angus, who was killed in a shootout with RCMP in February 2022.

The 33-year-old Saskatchewan man was shot by RCMP after officers executed a search warrant at a business in Waseca, east of Lloydminster.

The search was the culmination of a drug and weapons trafficking investigation started by the Battlefords RCMP in October 2021. After about four months of investigation, police obtained a warrant to search the commercial property in Waseca. The RCMP’s emergency response team (ERT) conducted the raid, taking three of four suspects into custody, who surrendered to police and exited the building.

Angus proved more difficult to subdue, according to a Ministry of Justice news release Thursday.

“A firearm was discharged from inside of the structure and a bullet struck an RCMP member situated outside,” the ministry said. “Trent Angus then exited the structure and refused to follow police commands.”

Officers fired a 40 mm foam bullet, striking Angus, but according to the province he “continued to be non-compliant.”

RCMP reported that Angus then brandished a 9 mm handgun and shot at officers, who returned fire, killing him.

An RCMP officer was taken to hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.

The inquest is scheduled for Feb. 10 to 14 at the Dekker Centre in North Battleford and will examine the circumstances surrounding Angus’ death.

The Saskatchewan Coroners Service is responsible for the investigation of all sudden, unexpected deaths.