RCMP shooting suspect known to police, family

CBC News

The mother and sister of a Saskatchewan man suspected of shooting two Mounties say a domestic dispute that preceded the incident was linked to years of abuse and his parents' drawn-out divorce.

Pastor Leigh Sinclair read a statement on behalf of Elsie Dagenais and her daughter Grace on Monday as police continued to hunt for Curtis Alfred Dagenais. The 41-year-old is suspected of shooting the RCMP officers on July 7 near Spiritwood, about 140 kilometres west of Prince Albert, Sask.

"The events of Friday evening were the results of … a three-year divorce battle and a still unsettled property settlement," Sinclair, who was in Spiritwood, read from the handwritten statement.

Dagenais's mother and sister also said the family dispute stemmed from 50 years of domestic abuse.

"The family would like to thank the RCMP and special forces for all their hard work and long hours in trying to resolve this matter, knowing the extreme risk," they said in the statement.

Officers remain in 'serious' condition

Const. Robin Cameron, 29, and Const. Marc Bourdages, 26, were shot after responding to an assault complaint in the community of Spiritwood.

RCMP Sgt. Brian Jones said the two officers, both of whom are parents of young children, remained in intensive care at Saskatoon Royal University Hospital on Monday.

"I can only describe their condition as serious," said Jones.

The officers were shot after a suspect left the scene by truck. Two officers followed in one police cruiser and a third officer followed them in a second police car.

The two officers, both of whom were wearing bullet-proof vests, were hit by gunfire in the community of Mildred, about 12 kilometres east of Spiritwood. The officer in the second cruiser returned fire at the fleeing vehicle.

Police believe suspect in area

Sinclair, who spoke from Spiritwood, said both Dagenais and his father were "well known to the law enforcement community."

Jones told CBC News that police believe Dagenais remains in the region, which is a combination of heavy woods, rolling terrain and open pastures.

Police are checking vehicles in Mildred and Spiritwood and a police helicopter is on the scene.

Jones said he was not surprised that it was taking so long to find Dagenais, because the suspect knows the area well.