One Man Shot Dead by Police in Niverville, Second Suspect ...
Police on the scene in Niverville, where Drovers Run was closed off Wednesday as part of a major RCMP investigation. Brenda Sawatzky
According to the RCMP, one adult male is dead, one female is in custody, and another male has been apprehended in Saskatchewan after an extensive pursuit. This follows a major incident in Niverville this morning. The deceased male was shot by police at approximately 3:00 a.m.
In the early hours, witnesses near the scene reported many police vehicles at the Shell gas station, located at the corner of Drovers Run and Krahn Road, as well as what appeared to be a covered body lying next to a black truck.
Nearby residents were initially alerted by the sounds of a woman screaming, followed by the arrival of multiple police vehicles.
The name of the victim is not being released at this time. The use of force is being investigated by the Independent Investigation Unit, a watchdog agency which evaluates serious police incidents in Manitoba.
Precise Timeline
The Winnipeg Police Service has since provided a precise timeline of the morning’s events.
“On June 5, 2024, at approximately 12:40 a.m., the Winnipeg Police Service received information through the RCMP Telecoms regarding a black Ford F-350 reported stolen from a rural Manitoba municipality southwest of Winnipeg,” reads a press release. Information was also provided that the vehicle, occupied by several potentially armed individuals involved in prior criminal activity, was making its way to Winnipeg.”
As would later be learned, the stolen vehicle had three occupants. Police were told they were potentially armed.
Thirty minutes later, a patrol car spotted the stolen vehicle near Ness Avenue and Linwood Street. Officers immediately requested assistance from the Flight Operations Unit, which led to an extended chase.
Approximately one hour later, the police helicopter guided officers to the Providence University College campus in Otterburne. When officers arrived, their cruiser was rammed by the stolen vehicle.
“Officers immediately engaged the suspects, resulting in a use of force incident involving the officers discharging their firearms,” the press release continues. “The suspects fled.”
The helicopter continued to follow the vehicle to the Shell gas station in Niverville. There, the driver exited the car, entered another vehicle, and fled. A female passenger attempted to escape on foot, but was quickly apprehended by responding officers.
A male passenger was found in the stolen vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite receiving emergency medical care before the arrival of the ambulance, this man died.1
All three suspects were known to city police, said Deputy Chief Art Stannard at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. They had a previous criminal history which includes two prior pursuits outside Winnipeg.
Bullet Holes
A Winnipeg Police Service cruiser was observed this morning parked along the side of the highway near the intersection of Highways 59 and 305, near Otterburne. The cruiser had 14 bullet holes in its windshield and the driver's side headlight was smashed.
In Otterburne, police remained on site throughout the day at the Providence campus. A spokesperson for the college reported that they had been assured by the authorities that the campus was safe and there was no further danger to students, staff, or nearby residents.
Manhunt
David Frank Burling, 29, was arrested near Springside, Saskatchewan after a chase across two provinces that lasted several hours and involved police from multiple jurisdictions. Burling was taken into custody at 2:30 p.m. along with an unidentified woman.
Earlier in the morning, Saskatechewan RCMP posted on Facebook that officers were searching in the vicinity Esterhazy for a man who was believed to have fled incidents in both Winnipeg and Niverville overnight.
That suspect was been identified as Burling, who was reported to have been driving a green 2016 Subaru Crosstrek with a Manitoba license plate. Burling was described as 5'2, 190 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes.
Burling has a number of prior convictions. Among them are multiple incidents of fleeing from a peace officer. They date back to 2014.
Aftermath
The Town of Niverville posted a statement on social media regarding the ongoing situation.
“We are thankful for the RCMP and their service to the Town of Niveville,” the statement reads. “They have a tough job to do and do it well! Thank you as well to residents for their understanding and patience.”
In the meantime, out of an abundance of caution, all three of Niverville's schools were placed in a hold-and-secure protocol. Students at the Niverville Elementary School, Niverville Middle School, and Niverville High School will remain inside their schools for the day, including recess and lunch.
1 “Officer-Involved Shooting—Investigation: C24-127043,” Winnipeg.ca. June 5, 2024 (https://www.winnipeg.ca/news/2024-06-05-officer-involved-shooting-investigation-c24-127043).
