Guns found stashed in Roszko's Quonset
Investigators found rifles and a shotgun stashed inside James Roszko's Quonset the day he ambushed and murdered four RCMP officers near Mayerthorpe, Alta., almost six years ago.
Roszko gunned down RCMP constables Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston, Brock Myrol and Peter Schiemann on his property on March 3, 2005. Roszko then shot and killed himself.
The officers were guarding the marijuana grow-op discovered in the Quonset the previous day.
A fatality inquiry is looking into the events leading up to the ambush to see if and how similar tragedies can be prevented.
After the murders, RCMP found three rifles in a case hidden in a farm implement in the Quonset, Sgt. Kevin Quail told the inquiry Monday at the Stony Plain courthouse. Quail was the crime scene co-ordinator at the Roszko farm.
Officers also found a rifle and a shotgun under some plywood on top of a room in the grow-op, said Quail.
They also found two wooden boxes and an empty gun sack on a ledge in another grow room.
Origin of assault rifle unknown
In the investigation, RCMP combed through the farm, sifting through soil and using infrared sensors to look for rumoured buried weapons and tunnels, said Quail. Nothing more was found, he said.
But the primary investigator on the case said there are questions that will likely never be answered, such as how Roszko got a hold of the assault rifle used to kill the officers.
Investigators also don't know how or when Roszko entered the Quonset prior to the ambush.
They did find a bed sheet and pillow case in the Quonset that they believe Roszko used to sneak into the Quonset.
The inquiry continues through the week and is scheduled to end Feb. 1.
Public hearings held under the Alberta Fatality Inquiries Act are limited to establishing the cause, manner, time, place and circumstances of death, as well as the identity of the deceased, police said.
The judge may make recommendations to prevent similar occurrences but is prohibited, under the act, from making findings of legal responsibility.
With files from John Archer