Case of Niagara officer who allegedly shot fellow cop put over until May
Det.-Sgt. Shane Donovan is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon
The case of a Niagara police officer accused of shooting another officer has been put over until May.
Det.-Sgt. Shane Donovan was scheduled to make his first court appearance in St. Catharines Thursday. He's charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in connection with the Nov. 29 shooting, which left Const. Nathan Parker with serious injuries. He didn't attend court Thursday as the case was pushed back to the May date.
Donovan, who headed up the collision reconstruction unit, is alleged to have fired his weapon multiple times during a confrontation with Parker.
The two were part of a group of officers investigating a collision from a few days before naer Pelham, Ont., a rural community about 20 kilometres west of Niagara Falls.
The reason for the shooting is still unclear.
Bill Fordy, acting NRPS chief, previously said he's not aware of any disciplinary issues with Donovan.
The shooting has been traumatic for the service, he said at the time charges against Donovan were announced.
"This morning, no different than in November, police officers get up across the country and they go to work with a view of serving their communities," Fordy said during a press conference in March. "Their hope is at the end of the day they go home to their families — to coach hockey, or basketball, or to deal with their family. Nobody prepares for an incident like this."
Donovan is suspended with pay. Parker is still off work and recovering from his injuries.
The case is scheduled to return to court in St. Catharines on May 9 when lawyers are expected to review more disclosure.