Graphic bodycam footage of OPP officer’s killing crucial for Crown and defence

A harrowing video has been presented at the trial of Alain Bellefeuille, the man accused of shooting and killing an Ontario Provincial Police officer and injuring two others outside Ottawa in 2023. The video, captured by the body-worn camera of Sgt. Eric Mueller, who tragically lost his life in the incident, raises the crucial question of whether Bellefeuille was aware that he was firing at police officers.

The footage, which contains graphic violence and coarse language, offers a rare glimpse into the dangers that police officers face when responding to calls. Bellefeuille has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder, but the fact that he shot and killed Sgt. Mueller is undisputed.

The video begins in the early morning hours of May 11, 2023, when Mueller, along with Const. Marc Lauzon and Const. François Gamache-Asselin, responded to a noise complaint and wellness check at Bellefeuille’s home in Bourget, Ontario. As the officers approach the house, they exchange words in French and decide to split up for a perimeter check.

Lauzon, the first officer on the scene, attempts to make contact with Bellefeuille, who is reported to be alone and possibly intoxicated. The officers shine their flashlights around the property and knock on the door, announcing themselves as police. Suddenly, Bellefeuille opens fire with a semi-automatic rifle, shooting through the bedroom wall towards the officers.

In the chaos that ensues, Mueller is critically wounded, while Lauzon is shot multiple times. Gamache-Asselin, who had been covering the front door, calls for help as the officers struggle to contain the situation. Bellefeuille continues to fire shots, both inside the house and towards the police cruisers parked outside.

The video captures the chilling moment when Bellefeuille approaches Mueller, taunting him with profanities and claiming that the officers had no right to enter his home. Despite his injuries, Mueller attempts to communicate with his fellow officers, while Bellefeuille calls 911 to report the shooting.

The trial of Alain Bellefeuille continues, with the prosecution presenting additional evidence, including footage from the body-worn cameras of other officers involved in the incident. The graphic nature of the video serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.