RCMP update attempted murder charges in shooting of officers
Written by on February 9th, 2012 in Latest News.
An Alberta man sought by police after two officers were shot and wounded in a rural home has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.
Police consider Sawyer Robison armed and a danger to police. (CBC)
RCMP issued a warrant for the arrest of Sawyer Robison, 27, last seen leaving the house near Killam on Tuesday.
“We know he was in the residence at the time of the shooting,” said Sgt. Patrick Webb. “We know he is involved somehow.”
The two officers, Const. Sheldon Shah and Const. Sidney Gaudette, are recovering in Edmonton hospitals with non-life-threatening wounds.
Shah and Gaudette were at the house with two other officers to do a search warrant for a .45-calibre handgun, which police believe may be connected to a domestic incident in the area.
RCMP believe Robison is armed and may be a threat to police officers.
‘He does have an issue with obviously the RCMP.’—Sgt. Patrick Webb
“Everything we have points that he has at least one long-barrelled firearm, maybe two, maybe more, maybe other weapons,” said Webb.
“But at the same time, everything that we’ve got so far also points to the fact that he really does not have an issue with the general public or any particular person.
“He does have an issue with obviously the RCMP looking for him now and basically authority figures,” he said.
Police follow up on tips
Police said Robison likely escaped from the home following the shooting, but before the house was surrounded by officers and tactical units.
“We had the residence really contained honestly shortly after it started off, but there was a time gap,” said Webb.
“You can’t get everybody there at the same instant. So it was not until we really went into the residence yesterday and found out the only occupant was one deceased male.… That’s when we knew he was somewhere else.”
It’s believed Robison’s uncle, Brad Clarke, was shot during the shootout.
Police have 15 investigators following up on tips from the public, said Webb.
The Mounties are now checking locations in the province where Robison has been known to frequent.
Robison is described as having a fit appearance, being six-foot-two and about 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
He is likely driving a black 2000 Chevrolet Silverado with Alberta licence plate number UZE 545.
