A man who has been charged in the killing of a Ridge Meadows Mountie was back in court Tuesday, March 19.

Nicholas Bellemare appeared via video in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court during a fix-date appearance.

Bellemare is accused of shooting and killing Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. Rick O鈥橞rien on Sept. 22, 2023, while the police officer was executing a search warrant with other officers at a Coquitlam residence, as part of an ongoing drug investigation.

During the altercation shots were fired, Const. O鈥橞rien was killed, another officer was injured and a third officer sustained non-firearm-related injuries.

Bellemare was also wounded.

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Bellemare has been charged with first degree murder in O鈥橞rien鈥檚 death.

Persons charged with a criminal offence are considered not guilty until the charges are proven in court.

O鈥橞rien, 51 when he died, had been a Mountie for seven years. He was a 91原创 resident, and a father with six children.

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Bellemare鈥檚 next court appearance is set for Tuesday, April 9.

A publication ban was ordered on Sept. 23, 2023, for evidence given at bail hearings.