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Damian Goebel recounted feeling helpless watching an RCMP officer suffer, dragging himself to safety.
“I heard him yelling ‘Help! I’ve been shot, I’ve been hit,’ ” he said.
Two Mounties were seriously hurt in a shooting in Melville on Sunday night, according to RCMP.
Goebel lives near 8th Avenue West and Saskatchewan Street, where the incident occurred.
He said he watched the RCMP officers in the alley ask a man to come out with his hands up around 9:35 p.m.
Goebel, a volunteer firefighter, couldn’t see the alleged shooter but said he did see one of the male officers fall to the ground after being struck.
An officer investigates the home where RCMP said two Mounties were seriously hurt by gunfire in Melville. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)
“I physically seen him crawling to the other side of the cruiser to take cover,” he said.
Goebel’s first instinct was to rush to the officer’s side and help, but feared crossing the line of gunfire.
“I was like ‘holy crap, stuff’s going down,’” he said. “At that point I felt useless, just because with being a first responder and everything, you go in to help people, you don’t stay back.”
A standoff persisted until 2 a.m., RCMP said, before the suspect was taken into custody.
Richard Goebel, Damian’s relative, lives across the street from the home.
He said the shooting was the result of an argument between neighbours in the front yard about the property line.
Richard alleged that the argument resulted in pushing and shoving, and RCMP were called.
A short time later, Richard said he heard five consecutive bangs and he and his wife ducked for cover in their home.
Richard Goebel stands across the street from the home where two RCMP officers were shot in Melville. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)
“I ran to the back of the house and just hit the ground,” he said. “We were just laying on our backs.”
A fleet of RCMP vehicles surrounded the home a short time later, Richard said, bringing red and blue flashing lights all night.
“I was scared. I was like I’m watching Cops but this is live, man,” he said. “These bullets could come through my window at any time.”
The situation also left a local mother shaken.
Isabel Cyr heard what she thought to be fireworks down the street on Sunday night, but knew something larger was at play when she heard sirens.
“It was a quiet town, nice quiet town,” she said. “Now things are starting to happen, and it’s just not safe anymore.”
Cyr said she was stunned when she looked out her window to see the Regina SWAT team parked on the street.
“It’s scary (it’s) that close,” she said. “My kids have to go that way to school.”
Shooting leaves mayor shocked and sad
In a community where police officers are more than just a uniform, Melville Mayor Joe Kirwan said the news has left many saddened and searching for answers as it hopes the officers’ recover.
Kirwan said the shooting sent waves of concern throughout the close-knit community, where many people know the officers personally through their involvement in local events and organizations.
“It’s a shock, and it’s sad,” Kirwan said.
“Our thoughts and prayers (are) with the two officers, (and) hopefully they recover well.”
He added the first concern in the early hours following the shooting was determining whether there was an ongoing threat to public safety. When information emerged, city officials worked alongside RCMP updates to reassure residents that there was no imminent danger to the community.
However, initially, uncertainty dominated the situation.
“We didn’t have clear understanding of what was going on so the concern is, is there a greater threat to community?” Kirwan said.
RCMP investigators outside a home in Melville on Monday, June 22 following a shooting on Sunday night that left two officers seriously hurt. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)
The city used its emergency alert system overnight to notify residents once authorities were able to confirm the public was not at risk.
Once details of the shooting became clearer, attention shifted to the two injured officers and the impact the incident has had on the community.
“I would assume across our community today there’s a wide variety of people that have interacted with the two — the corporal and constable — and they’re feeling shock and sadness,” he said.
The shooting is also expected to create operational challenges for local policing. Kirwan noted the Melville RCMP detachment is already dealing with vacancies, and losing two officers from active duty could place additional strain on resources.
“It’s going to create a bit of a challenge for the RCMP to fill some of these spots until these folks recover,” he said.
With the suspect being arrested, Kirwan said the incident has shaken the community’s sense of security.
“We like to pride ourselves in being a very safe small city in East Central Saskatchewan, and when something like this happens, I think it really does shake that belief a bit,” he said.
Despite the shock, Kirwan said the community’s focus remains firmly on the recovery of the injured officers.
“I hope they recover well, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them back into our community,” he said.
Chiefs of police offer support
Chief Patrick Nogier, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, said in a statement that the association will be supporting the inured RCMP officers.
“We recognize the professionalism, dedication, and courage required of those who serve on the front lines of
public safety. Our thoughts are with the members, their families, and their colleagues as
they navigate the challenges arising from this event.
“We wish the injured members a full and speedy recovery and express our gratitude to all first responders for their service to Saskatchewan communities,” Nogier’s statement said.
— with files from 980 CJME’s Joshua Potter
