Kimmirut man charged with murder in Mountie's death

Suspect's family 'overwhelmed' by officer's death; funeral planned for Nov. 13

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 | 3:34 PM CT

CBC News

RCMP in Nunavut have charged a 37-year-old man from Kimmirut in the death of Const. Douglas Scott, while plans are underway for a regimental funeral scheduled for Nov. 13 in Scott's hometown of Brockville, Ont.

Pingoatuk (Ping) Kolola was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder after Scott, 20,  was shot late Monday in Kimmirut, about 120 kilometres south of Iqaluit on Baffin Island.

Scott was found shot by two residents around 11:30 p.m. ET, and he died at the scene shortly thereafter. He had been responding to a report of impaired driving in the hamlet of about 400.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon in Iqaluit, Supt. Tim Cogan said Scott was shot before he could even get out of his car.

Kolola has been in custody in Iqaluit since early Tuesday morning, when he surrendered himself to police without incident following a 3½-hour standoff at a Kimmirut residence.

Cogan said Kolola's family has been distraught by what happened, and have asked the RCMP to convey their sorrow and sympathy to Scott's family in Lyn, a community near Brockville.

"They are overwhelmed by the situation. It's a very small community, very tight-knit community. Doug was well-known by the community," Cogan said.

"The family of the accused are trying to understand what happened. They are trying to deal with the emotion that Doug's family must be going through right now."

Kolola will appear in court in Iqaluit on Friday.

Kimmurut Mayor Joe Arlooktoo, who knows Kolola, told CBC News that he had never heard anything bad about Kolola in the past. Speaking in Inuktitut, Arlooktoo said he feels very sorry for Kolola's family.

About 20 RCMP investigators are currently in Kimmirut, including general investigations staff, members of the major crimes unit from Edmonton, forensic lab specialists from Regina, and a traffic collision reconstruction expert from Peace River, Alta.

Support offered to officer's family

Police have also brought in employee assistance staff, health services officers, a psychologist and the RCMP chaplain.

As well, an extensive support team has been made available to Scott's family.

Scott's body will be flown to Toronto for a medical examination. Arrrangements for the funeral are being made in consultation with his family, police said.

Condolence books are being set up at several locations:

• Ottawa: RCMP headquarters and the RCMP Musical Ride Visitor Centre.
• Iqaluit: RCMP headquarters, inside the Royal Bank building.
• On the RCMP's website, in a section devoted to Scott.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 1,036 people have joined a group called "Rest in Peace Doug Scott" on the social networking website Facebook.