No charges for officer who accidentally shot Fort Simpson man in thigh

The N.W.T. Environment and Natural Resources officer who shot his gun in response to an aggressive bear in Fort Simpson, and accidentally shot a man through his home, will not be charged.

In September 2019, the N.W.T.Department of Environment and Natural Resources saidone of itsofficersresponded to reports of abear that had been hanging around the village for about a week.The department said that an officerdischarged his firearm responding to the bear's "aggressive" behaviour.

Dennis Nelnertold CBC at the time that a bulletblasted through the wall of his home and into his thigh.

"The wall exploded," said Nelner, at the time."I started yelling at the top of my lungs:'stop shooting!You hit me!'"

Nelner was sent to Yellowknifefor treatment and discharged from the hospital12 hours later.

In a news release Tuesday afternoon, RCMP said they have finished investigating the case and would not charge the officer.

• Read Dennis Nelner's first-hand account of being shot through his home

Police say they referred the case toPublic Prosecution Service of Canada, which recommended that the officer shouldn't be charged because he "took reasonable actions to stop an imminent threat."