Pubdate: Wed, 09 Mar 2005
Source: Mayerthorpe Freelancer (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Freelancer
Contact:  http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/733
Author: Rosemary Austen, Editor, Mayerthorpe Freelancer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rochfort+Bridge (Rochfort Bridge)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

HORRIFIC CHAIN OF EVENTS LEADING TO KILLINGS

Many Questions Still Remain As Police Continue to Investigate

It all started with a white truck purchased from Kentword Ford in Edmonton.

The dealership had sent a bailiff to the farm of James Roszko, 46, near 
Rochfort Bridge to repossess the 2005 F350 truck on Wednesday morning.

A warrant shows that RCMP were called to the Roszko property around 3:20 
p.m. by the bailiff.

Mayerthorpe officers, Cpl. Jim Martin and Const. Peter Schiemann, responded 
to the call. When the two officers arrived on scene, the bailiff told them 
that a man came out of a Quonset hut shouting at him, releasing two 
Rottweiler type dogs.

He then said he had seen a white truck speeding away.

Martin and Schiemann then decided to enter Roszko's property.

Reports show they cut a chain on the gate to gain entry.

While there, they discovered several new trucks in pieces and evidence of a 
marijuana grow-operation.

The grow-operation was investigated that night while a search warrant was 
issued.

The warrant showed that RCMP were well aware of Roszko's violent history.

Nonetheless, two officers, who have yet to be named, were left to guard the 
farm over night. By morning, at around 9:00 a.m., two other officers joined 
them.

At approx. 9:15 a.m., a third pair of officers from Edmonton RCMP theft 
unit arrived at James Roszko's farm.

After stepping from their police car they reported hearing gunshots coming 
from the large metal Quonset hut.

Police say Roszko then ran outside and fired at them. It is known that at 
least one officer fired back at Roszko wounding him. Roszko then retreated 
back into the hut.

Police tried to contact the four RCMP officers by radio, but were unable to 
make contact.

After a four-hour stand off, a RCMP tactical team stormed the Quonset hut 
and found Roszko as well as the four officers dead. The officers were later 
identified as Peter Schiemann, 25, Anthony Gordon, 28, Leo Johnston, 32, 
and Brock Myrol, 29.

RCMP spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes said Roszko killed the four officers using 
a "rapid-fire, high powered rifle."

Roszko then took his own life.

Police are continuing to investigate the scene.

At this time it is unclear how Roszko managed to regain entry to the police 
guarded property- a question that has been largely speculated on by the public.

Cpl. Oakes says there is still a lot of work to do.

"We are following up every aspect," he says.

Examination of the crime scene will draw on the expertise of senior 
forensic identification technicians, forensic science experts and forensic 
firearm specialists.

Oakes anticipates the investigation to continue for several more days. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake