RCMP Cst. Barry Kirby has been charged in connection to a firearm discharge investigation by the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU).

In June of 2018 the officer discharged his sidearm during an attempted traffic stop. The officer had minutes before tried to initiate a traffic stop but the vehicle turned into a wooded area. Kirby exited his vehicle and pursued on foot when the vehicle he was chasing turned around and accelerated toward him.

At this point the officer allegedly fired at the vehicle. The vehicle got away and no one was injured. The driver was eventually arrested.

The Civilian Director of the IIU, Zane Tessler, had determined that the investigation into the incident has revealed reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence occurred.

Officer Kirby has been charged with Careless Use of a Firearm and will appear in court on November 15, 2019.

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