Two Whitecourt RCMP officers charged with manslaughter

Two Whitecourt RCMP officers had their charges upgraded to manslaughter in the 2018 shooting death of 31-year-old Clayton Crawford. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) led the initial investigation, resulting in criminal negligence charges causing death against 12-year service member 43-year-old Cpl. Randy Stenger, and 29-year-old Const. Jessica Brown, with four years of service on June 5, 2020. At the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service request, the case was turned over to prosecutors with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. ASIRT released the following statement, “After consultation with the Ontario Crown, on September 3, 2020, a replacement Information was sworn jointly charging both officers with the offence of manslaughter. The original Information charging both officers with criminal negligence causing death was withdrawn at the Crown’s request.” No other information is being released as the case is now before the courts.

The situation unfolded at noon on July 3, 2018, approximately 15 kilometres west of Whitecourt on Highway 43. RCMP spotted a parked vehicle at the Chickadee Creek rest area fitting the description of a vehicle they were looking for concerning an incident that occurred in Valhalla the previous day. ASIRT released some of the details surrounding that fateful day as they began investigating. The lone occupant (Crawford), appeared to be asleep in the reclined driver’s seat. Video footage from the RCMP cruiser indicated a confrontation occurred as the officers approached; the occupant attempted to flee the scene, resulting in both officers discharging their firearms toward the vehicle. The driver, Clayton Crawford, was struck sustaining fatal injuries and died at the scene.