The RCMP gun used in the shooting of a Winnipeg teen was stolen from an RCMP vehicle after a man or men broke into an officer’s home, new court documents show.
Calli Vanderaa, 16, was shot in a car outside a Windsor Park convenience store in the early morning hours of Oct. 24 2015 with a stolen RCMP gun.
In February 2016, Vanderaa launched a lawsuit against the officer who stored the gun, and the RCMP.
Documents filed July 13, 2016 by the defendants state on the night of Oct. 23, 2015 and/or the early morning of Oct. 24, 2015 the accused man or men entered the officer’s home without permission, and stole the keys to a locked and marked RCMP vehicle that was parked outside the officer’s home.
The documents also state, the man or men, entered the RCMP vehicle illegally and without permission, and stole the officer’s RCMP firearm and other police equipment from a locked box affixed to the inside of the vehicle, and used the gun to shoot Vanderaa.
According to documents filed at the time of suit against the RCMP, Vanderaa, the plantiff, “suffered life-threatening and major injuries as a result of the bullet striking her, injuring her leg, lung, spleen and colon.”
Additional court documents filed in July state the officer and RCMP cannot be directly liable for damages according to claims filed by the defendants. These documents also state the officer had completed all training required by the RCMP with regards to the use and storage of firearms.
Two men were arrested and charged in connection with the shooting.
Matthew Wilfred McKay, 22, faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and weapons offences.
Matthew Andrew Miles, 25, faces charges for weapons offences and theft.
