Edmonton: Suspect Arrested in RCMP Killing

EDMONTON -- Emrah Bulatci, the notorious fugitive wanted for the murder of a Hay River Mountie one week ago, was arrested at a west-end townhome by Edmonton city tactical cops yesterday following an eight-hour standoff and a week of frantic searches.

The 23-year-old -- appearing dazed and shirtless -- surrendered peacefully to officers around 5 p.m. after they stormed up the steps of a run-down townhome, directly across from an elementary school, which was locked down as a result of the drama.

Bulatci had been on the lam since Oct. 6, after RCMP Const. Christopher Worden was shot dead in Hay River, N.W.T., while responding alone to a call in an area of town known to harbour the drug trade.

Dozens of police officers from both the Edmonton Police Service and the RCMP converged on the neighbourhood as early as 9 a.m. after receiving a tip that Bulatci might be at a townhome in the housing complex.

The area was cordoned off and six city buses full of students from the nearby school were taken out of the area around 2:30 p.m.

By 3:30 p.m., two adults had exited the townhome and were arrested for questioning before police used a flash-bang device to try and startle Bulatci, who remained holed-up inside the suite.

At 4:56 p.m., officers rushed the front porch, kicking over a large planter and demanding Bulatci surrender, which he did.

The man matched the RCMP's most recent description, including recently-dyed black hair, and was escorted into the back of an ambulance and taken away for questioning.

Prior to his capture, snipers in full body armour, camouflage and face paint were deployed throughout the neighbourhood and into the elementary school across the street. Nearby residents were ordered to stay in their basements.

"My son was in the school when police barged in with their guns and locked it down, he was terrified," said Melanie Gaskin, who lives a few doors down from where Bulatci was cornered.

Several neighbours told Sun Media they were relieved to hear police had nabbed the accused cop killer.

They said the subsidized housing complex is a haven for druggies, and weren't surprised Bulatci showed up there given his extensive criminal record and ties to the drug trade.

Edmonton police spokesman Jeff Wuite said the EPS and RCMP are relieved to bring an end to this chapter of the Worden tragedy.

"I think we're all feeling a great sense of relief for the families affected by this, including everyone in Alberta and the entire country," he said.

Wuite also said Bulatci's capture brings closure to a frenzied week, which saw police raid several locations in Edmonton and St. Albert, and go through a similar standoff Thursday at a home that ended up being empty.

LIVED IN EDMONTON

Bulatci most recently lived in Edmonton with his girlfriend and their three-month-old baby girl.

The girlfriend's mother said yesterday that her family's thoughts are with Worden's loved ones.

"Our hearts, thoughts and condolences do go out to Const. Worden's family," said the mother, who declined to give her name.

She also defended Bulatci.

"The man that we've come to know and love is not capable of what he's being accused of. The man that I know, it's not possible."