Mountie testifies about fatal shooting

An RCMP officer's testimony at an inquest into the shooting death of a burglary suspect in northern B.C. more than two years ago has contradicted other testimony, by his police partner and by a forensic expert.

Const. Ryan Sheremetta shot and killed Kevin St. Arnaud after a police chase in Vanderhoof in December 2004.

On Tuesday, he told the coroner's jury at the inquest in Vanderhoof he fired three times in self defence.

He said he chased the suspect across a dark, icy soccer field, and that he was worried the man might have had a weapon because he was running away with one hand in his pocket.

He testified St. Arnaud started coming at him, refused to stop and looked at him with a "death look."

Sheremetta said he stepped back, slipped and fell on his back, and "scared for his life," fired three times while laying on theground, to stop St. Arnaud, who was now almost on top of him.

But Sheremetta's police partner, Const. Colleen Erickson has testified that Sheremetta was standing up, in a "police shooting stance" when she heard gunshots and saw muzzle flashes.

Earlier, a forensic pathologist testified that the bullets Sheremetta shot were fired in a downward trajectory, not upward.

The inquest has heard St. Arnaud didn't have a weapon. His right hand was bandaged, and he was carrying a white plastic grocery bag.

The RCMP investigation of the shooting said the officer, who had two years experience, acted in self defence, and the Crown decided not to lay charges.