LONGUEUIL, Que. – A Laval police officer told the trial of an alleged cop killer Monday that he and other officers clearly identified themselves when they stormed the suspect’s home during an early morning raid last year.
Const. Serge Lauzon said officers slammed the front door of Basil Parasiris’ Brossard home three times with a battering ram before charging into the two-storey home yelling “police” at the top of their lungs on March 2, 2007.
Lauzon said he made for the second floor, still yelling “police” and heading for the master bedroom.
Parasiris has pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder of Const. Daniel Tessier, who was wounded three times during a shootout as police attempted to execute a search warrant.
The defence has contended Parasiris was acting in self-defence, thinking he was being attacked by home invaders. His lawyer focused in cross-examination on how Tessier was dressed during the raid, suggesting his plainclothes attire did not suggest that of a police officer.
Lauzon testified that when he pushed on the bedroom door, someone pushed back and he heard four or five gunshots, although he didn’t know where they were coming from.
Lauzon said he fired back several times and saw Tessier go down in the midst of the firefight.
Tessier was the first officer through the front door of the home and first up the stairs to the second floor.
Lauzon said he retreated to the bathroom and another officer called 911.
Court heard the 911 recording where a detective tells the operator of the shooting. The operator says she is aware of the incident and help is on the way.
The detective adds that a police officer has been shot.
“We don’t know the extent of his injuries and the suspect isn’t under control yet,” the detective says.
Other voices can be heard in the background of the tape, including Lauzon who orders the person in the master bedroom to show their hands. He also tells them they’ve shot a police officer.
A police officer who was shot in the arm in the incident also testified.
Const. Stephane Forbes said he entered the bedroom of Parasiris’ young daughter when the shooting started. He came face to face with the child, dropped his nine-millimetre pistol and tried to shield the little girl from the shooting.
When the child saw him, he said, she told him: “You’re bleeding.”
Parasiris has been free on bail since April 2007.
It is believed to be the first time a judge in Canada has granted bail to an alleged cop killer.
