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

A paramedic’s harrowing account of arriving at a fatal shooting that he assumed was safe only to find the shooter still on the scene will be a crucial piece of evidence in the trial of Alain Bellefeuille, who stands accused of killing OPP Sgt. Eric Mueller and injuring constables Marc Lauzon and François Gamache-Asselin during a wellness check in Bourget, Ont.

The incident, which took place on May 11, 2023, left Mueller dead and his colleagues injured. Bellefeuille has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, with the trial set to determine whether he knew he was shooting at police and if he was acting in self-defence.

Christian Larochelle, one of the first paramedics to arrive at the scene, testified about the chaos and confusion that unfolded. Upon approaching Bellefeuille’s house, Larochelle found the shooter standing on the deck with his arms up. Mueller was inside the house, bleeding out in the mudroom with Bellefeuille’s loaded long gun placed across his chest. Lauzon was on the lawn, injured, and Gamache-Asselin was hiding in the woods.

As Larochelle and his team tried to save Mueller, they realized they were not safe themselves. Despite their efforts, Mueller did not survive the journey to the hospital.

The trial also heard testimony from OPP Const. Justin Boyd, who described the frantic search for the injured officers and the tense moments that followed. The scene was described as chaotic, with officers struggling to locate their colleagues and secure the area.

One particularly disturbing moment was captured on video, showing Const. Ionut Mihuta repeatedly punching Bellefeuille during the arrest. Mihuta later testified that his emotions got the best of him, but he did not intend to harm the suspect further.

The trial also delved into the emotional aftermath of the shooting, with footage showing Bellefeuille in a vulnerable state during the ambulance ride to the hospital. The jury was instructed to consider his physical and emotional state in the video as part of their deliberations.

Further evidence presented in court included photos of the bloody scene, bullet holes in Bellefeuille’s bedroom wall, and spent casings from the weapons used. The trial continues with cross-examination of witnesses, shedding light on the events that led to this tragic incident.

As the trial unfolds, the search for justice and the truth behind the fatal shooting will continue to be at the forefront. The testimony of those who were present that fateful night will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this case.