Stapler could be a weapon, RCMP officer tells Taser inquiry
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 | 12:15 PM PT
The Canadian Press
An RCMP officer has testified he was sure Robert Dziekanski intended to harm the Mounties called to Vancouver's airport in October 2007.
Const. Gerry Rundel told the public inquiry into the death of Dziekanski that the stapler the Polish man was holding could have been used as a weapon against the officers or members of the public.
Rundel testified earlier this week that he feared for his safety when Dziekanski turned toward the officers clenching the stapler
However, several other civilian witnesses who watched Dziekanski before police arrived have testified they were not afraid of him.
The officer was testifying at the Braidwood inquiry in Vancouver.
The inquiry is looking into the death of Dziekanski.
He died shortly after he was shot five times with a Taser by the RCMP officers in the international arrivals area of the airport on Oct. 14, 2007.
