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RCMP Apologizes for Training Near Mass Shooting Anniversary
18 Apr
Summary
- RCMP Commissioner apologized for training exercises near Debert.
- The Debert area was a site of killings during the 2020 mass shooting.
- Exercises ended early to avoid overlapping with the anniversary.
Canada's top Mountie has apologized for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's decision to hold training exercises in the Debert area of Nova Scotia. This community is preparing to mark the sixth anniversary of the devastating mass shooting that occurred on April 18-19, 2020.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme acknowledged in a letter that the exercises caused "harm and trauma" to residents. The Debert area was one of several locations where a gunman, disguised as a police officer in a replica cruiser, killed 22 people over 13 hours. Nine victims were killed on the second day of the rampage, including two in Debert.
Nova Scotia MP Alana Hirtle had called the timing of the large-scale tactical exercises "insensitive, tone-deaf and unacceptable." She stated that community members expressed significant pain and anxiety.
In response to the backlash and to avoid overlapping with the anniversary on Sunday, the RCMP decided to conclude the training exercises ahead of schedule.
