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 guardingthe 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 andhow similar tragedies can be prevented.

After the murders, RCMPfound three rifles in a case hidden in a farm implementin the Quonset, Sgt. Kevin Quailtoldthe 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 inthegrow-op, said Quail.

They also foundtwo wooden boxes and an empty gun sack on a ledge in another grow room.

Origin of assault rifle unknown

In the investigation, RCMPcombed throughthe farm,sifting through soil and using infraredsensors tolook for rumouredburied weapons and tunnels, said Quail. Nothing more was found, he said.

But theprimaryinvestigator on the casesaid there are questions thatwill likely never be answered, such ashow Roszkogot a hold oftheassault rifleused to kill the officers.

"I dont know where it came from," Insp. James Hardy told the inquiry. "I left no stone unturned."

Investigators also don't know how or when Roszkoentered the Quonset prior to the ambush.

They did find a bed sheet and pillow case in the Quonset thatthey believe Roszko used tosneak into the Quonset.

The inquiry continues through the week andis 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.