N.S. RCMP officer 'acted reasonably' in shooting that killed woman: police watchdog

Woman died during disturbance in Eastern Passage on Oct. 14, 2025

Nova Scotia's police watchdog says an RCMP officer did not commit a criminal offence when she shot and killed a woman who was in distress and armed with a knife in Eastern Passage last year.

The Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) said the Mounties were called to a disturbance on Cedar Lane in Eastern Passage on the afternoon of Oct. 14, 2025.

A news release said the first two officers on scene found a woman who appeared to be in distress and had a large knife.

She did not obey officers’ commands and advanced toward them in a threatening manner, the release said.

The agency said one officer twice discharged a stun gun, striking the woman, but she continued to advance toward one of the officers, who pleaded with her to drop the knife.

The woman did not comply and the officer fired her weapon, striking the woman in the leg. She continued to advance and the officer discharged her firearm again, this time striking the woman in the chest.

The release said officers provided life-saving measures before she was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

SIRT was contacted by RCMP shortly after the incident and started an investigation.

A report from team director Erin Nauss dated June 17 said based on a review of the facts and the law, she was satisfied that the officer "acted reasonably to stop a major threat."

"The circumstantial evidence supports the perception of the [officer] that there were reasonable grounds to believe the threat to her life and the lives of other officers and civilians was at risk," wrote Nauss.

"I have determined that there are no reasonable grounds to believe the [officer] committed a criminal offence. This was an extremely tragic situation and SIRT sends condolences to the [woman's] family and all those involved."

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