On June 4, 2024, at approximately 8:00 pm, Manitoba RCMP received notification from Saskatchewan RCMP concerning a stolen vehicle from Cypress River, Manitoba on May 22, 2024. Saskatchewan RCMP had seen the vehicle near Carlyle, SK, and it was believed the vehicle was headed to Manitoba. It was believed by police that there could be a firearm in the vehicle.
The vehicle was located heading eastbound on Highway 2 in Manitoba and then near Oak Bluff. Advisories were sent to RCMP detachments as well as the Winnipeg Police Service.
On June 5, 2024, at approximately 1:20 am, RCMP were asked to assist as Winnipeg Police Service had located the suspect vehicle and were following it into RCMP jurisdiction south of Winnipeg.
The RCMP will not speak to the officer-involved shooting incident as that part of the investigation is the purview of the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba https://www.iiumanitoba.ca/pdf/bulletin_2024-0031.pdf. The RCMP continues to support and assist in that investigation.
RCMP arrested one female, 34, at the Drovers Run location where the driver of the suspect vehicle fled and the male passenger, 30, was located deceased. She was released without charge.
Efforts to locate the suspect who fled in an unknown vehicle continued into Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan RCMP has provided information on taking the two suspects in the vehicle into custody https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2024/increased-police-presence-esterhazy. David Frank Burling, 29, and a female, 37, were arrested without incident.
The female was released without charges.
Burling is charged with Commit Assault Against Peace Officer with Weapon x2, Possess Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Fail to Stop, and Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle. He remains in custody.
"There is much more work to do on this investigation," said Superintendent Rob Lasson, Acting Criminal Operations Officer for the Manitoba RCMP. "This was a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional event that was complex and had many moving parts, and all of those involved worked together toward the same goals – keeping citizens safe and getting the suspect in custody."
As of approximately 3:00 am on June 5, 2024, there is a large police presence in Niverville in relation to an officer-involved shooting, with an adult male deceased on scene. RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service in the area of Drovers Run, which will be blocked off for a large portion of the day.
One female in custody and one male has fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Details are being determined. More information will be provided as soon as it is available.