RCMP officer distraught after shooting, witnesses testify

Three witnesses have confirmed a Mountie's testimony that he was devastated after he shot a young Houston mill worker during a struggle at the RCMP detachment in the northern B.C. community.

Const. Paul Koester shot Ian Bush, 22, in the back of the head during a struggle at the Houston RCMP detachment in October 2005.

Bush was arrested outside a hockey game because he had an open beer, and gave Koester a false name.

An inquest into his death is now underway in Houston.

A victim services volunteer who was called in to help Koester testified Thursday that when she arrived at the back door of the detachment, she was told someone had been shot and that aconstable was involved.

Marianne Dekker told the inquest Koester looked extremely distraught, even traumatized. She said he asked her to hug him so that he could cry. She said he cried for a very long time.

She said she accompanied the rookie officer on the 65-kilometre drive to hospital in Smithers. He complained his neck was sore and he wanted to lean back or lean against her.

Ambulance attendant Michalle Brown, who also testified Thursday, said she was called on a Code 3 emergency to the detachment on the night of the shooting.

However, she said that call was downgraded, and she and her partner waited for half an hour in their ambulance before she was allowed inside to see Ian Bush andKoester.

An officer who heard Koester's call for help on the police radio said it took him less than 30 seconds to respond. Cpl. Derek Donovan said he found Koester curled up on the floor in a fetal position sobbing and Bush slumped over.

He said he consoled Koester before determining Bush was dead.

The inquest continues Friday. Then the coroner's jury will have a recess until the hearing resumes again in early July.