A man who has been charged in the killing of a Ridge Meadows Mountie was back in court Tuesday, March 19.
Nicholas Bellemare appeared via video in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court during a fix-date appearance.
Bellemare is accused of shooting and killing Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. Rick O’Brien on Sept. 22, 2023, while the police officer was executing a search warrant with other officers at a Coquitlam residence, as part of an ongoing drug investigation.
During the altercation shots were fired, Const. O’Brien was killed, another officer was injured and a third officer sustained non-firearm-related injuries.
Bellemare was also wounded.
READ MORE: Nicholas Bellemare faces a charge of first degree murder
Bellemare has been charged with first degree murder in O’Brien’s death.
Persons charged with a criminal offence are considered not guilty until the charges are proven in court.
O’Brien, 51 when he died, had been a Mountie for seven years. He was a Langley resident, and a father with six children.
ALSO: Ridge Meadows RCMP officer falls in the line of duty
Bellemare’s next court appearance is set for Tuesday, April 9.
A publication ban was ordered on Sept. 23, 2023, for evidence given at bail hearings.