EDMONTON, Alberta, March 3 (UPI) -- In what is described as the worst tragedy in Canada’s RCMP history, four of its Mounties reportedly were fatally shot during a drug raid in Alberta province.
The four were among five killed in the raid on a suspected marijuana growing operation on a farm near Edmonton, the CBC reported Thursday.
“It’s my sad duty to inform you that four RCMP officers, four brave young members have been killed in the line of duty,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Bill Sweeney.
Police said the incident unfolded early Thursday when the four officers went to investigate allegations of stolen property and a marijuana operation.
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes said they died inside a hut on the farm. Their bodies were later discovered by emergency response team officers.
It was not known if the victims had been ambushed. The fifth victim was identified only as a suspect but it also was not known if he was killed by other officers, or he turned his high-power rifle on himself.