The man charged with shooting and killing Maple Ridge RCMP Const. Rick O’Brien was back in court on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Nicholas Bellemare made a brief video appearance in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court, and the case was put over until March 19.
Bellemare, a 25-year-old Coquitlam resident, is charged with first degree murder, and attempted murder with a firearm. Killing peace officers automatically results in first degree murder charges.
On Sept. 22, 2023 at approximately 10 a.m., several Ridge Meadows RCMP officers were executing a warrant at a Coquitlam residence as part of an ongoing drug investigation. Police allege that in an altercation with Bellemare shots were fired, killing O’Brien and injuring another officer. A third officer sustaining non-firearm-related injuries.
The suspect was also wounded by gunfire.
READ ALSO: Ridge Meadows Mountie killed, 2 other officers injured in Coquitlam incident
O’Brien, 51 when he died, had been a Mountie for seven years. He was a Langley resident, and a father with six children.
READ ALSO: Maple Ridge’s fallen officer appreciated his RCMP career
