Paramedic who tended to dying cop to face cross-examination in Bellefeuille murder trial

A paramedic’s firsthand account of arriving at a fatal shooting that took the life of an OPP officer and wounded two others has been a key piece of evidence in the trial of Alain Bellefeuille, who stands accused of first-degree murder and attempted murder. The paramedic, Christian Larochelle, was one of the first responders on the scene and testified about the chaotic and dangerous situation that unfolded.

When Larochelle and his team arrived at Bellefeuille’s home in Bourget, Ontario, they initially thought the scene was safe. However, they soon realized that Bellefeuille, the shooter, was still on the deck with his arms raised. Inside the house, they found OPP Sgt. Eric Mueller bleeding out in the mudroom with Bellefeuille’s loaded long gun placed across his chest. Constables Marc Lauzon and François Gamache-Asselin were also injured, with Lauzon unable to provide clear answers about the safety of the scene.

Mueller was rushed to the hospital by paramedics, but sadly he did not survive his injuries. The paramedics faced a tense situation as they tried to save his life while knowing they were not safe themselves. The trial also heard about the emotional toll of the incident, with Bellefeuille seen crying during the ambulance ride to the hospital.

The trial also delved into the actions of the arresting officers, with Const. Ionut Mihuta admitting to violating police protocol by punching Bellefeuille during the arrest. Mihuta’s body-worn camera captured the intense exchange, where he threatened to shoot Bellefeuille while he was lying on the ground.

The evidence presented in court included photos of the crime scene, showing the aftermath of the shooting with bullet holes in walls, spent casings, and evidence of the violent confrontation that took place. The jury was shown the extent of the damage caused by Bellefeuille’s actions, including the injuries sustained by the officers and the loss of life.

As the trial continues, the prosecution and defense will present their cases, with Bellefeuille expected to testify in his own defense. The paramedic’s testimony provided a harrowing account of the tragic events that unfolded that night, shedding light on the violence and chaos that erupted in Bourget. The trial will seek to determine Bellefeuille’s intentions and whether he acted in self-defense during the fatal shooting.