Murder trial begins for 2023 killing of RCMP Const. Rick O’Brien in Coquitlam

Witnesses took the stand Wednesday as the murder trial for the 2023 killing of RCMP Const. Rick O’Brien entered its third day in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.

Nicholas Bellemare, 27, is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder with a firearm following the fatal shooting at a Coquitlam condominium complex on Sept. 22, 2023.

Crown prosecutors allege Bellemare shot O’Brien and injured two other officers as police executed a search warrant at a unit inside 3007 Glen Drive around 9 a.m. that morning. Bellemare, who was also wounded, appeared in court wearing a grey suit and white shirt.

Witness Testimony

A neighbour testified that he saw police officers gathering in the hallway before hearing “seven to 10 gunshots”.

“I saw people moving. I could hear gunfire, gunfire. I heard something along the lines of ‘man down, officer down,’” the witness said, describing the scene as “total chaos.”

RCMP Const. Danilo Amoranto, a member of the emergency response team, told the court he used a tactical robot to enter the unit after the shooting and discovered four long rifles inside.

Context and Next Steps

Const. O’Brien, a respected member of the Ridge Meadows RCMP, was killed in the line of duty. The tragedy drew nationwide tributes, including a police procession and memorial attended by hundreds of officers and community members.

The trial, which began earlier this week, is expected to continue until December 19, with more witnesses from the RCMP and forensic teams scheduled to testify in the coming weeks.