Nine individuals were arrested after crossing the Canada-U.S. border near Coutts, Alberta, on January 4, 2025. (Credit: RCMP)
A man is dead after crossing the U.S.-Canada border at the Coutts Border Crossing in southern Alberta on February 4, 2025. The incident is one of three that Canadian police discussed during a press conference about border security on February 5, 2025.
Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland explained that the man arrived at the border crossing at 7:45 a.m. and was referred for a secondary inspection. However, he drove into Canada without stopping. Border officers alerted the police, and the man’s vehicle was located near Raymond, Alberta, about 80 kilometers from the border.
The man drove north toward Lethbridge, Alberta, and then back to Raymond, where a tire deflation device was used near Milk River, Alberta, about 60 kilometers from Raymond. The vehicle was stopped, but the man fled on foot, with police and canine officers chasing him.
During the pursuit, the man suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), which investigates incidents involving police that lead to death or serious injury, has taken over the investigation.
Other Border Incidents
In a separate incident on February 3, a group of nine people, including four adults and five children, crossed the border near Coutts. They were traveling on foot with suitcases at 6:15 a.m. and were arrested under the Customs Act. The group was handed over to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for processing.
On January 14, six people crossed the border near Emerson, Manitoba, about 15 kilometers east of the border crossing. U.S. authorities alerted Canadian officials, and RCMP officers quickly responded, using a plane to track the group. The six individuals were arrested without incident and transferred to CBSA.
The RCMP reported that a vehicle crossed into Canada at the Coutts Border Crossing on February 4, 2025, without undergoing a secondary inspection. The driver later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Credit: RCMP)
Cold Weather and Safety Concerns
The individuals crossing the border on foot were not dressed appropriately for the harsh winter temperatures in Canada. According to Moreland, they did not have the proper clothing like hats, gloves, or mitts. The temperatures were reported to be between -20 to -30°C, not including wind chill, which made the conditions even more dangerous.
In both of the foot-crossing incidents, an ambulance was called to check on the health of the migrants.
Border Security and Warnings
Moreland emphasized the importance of border security and the RCMP’s commitment to preventing illegal crossings. She also urged people to avoid attempting to cross the border illegally. "To anyone who is thinking about crossing the border, don’t. You’re putting your life at risk, and you should not attempt under any circumstances," she warned.
The U.S. and Canada are also working together to address issues like drug trafficking and border protection. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to impose tariffs on Canada, though these were paused after a call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Moreland also confirmed that no fentanyl was found in any of the cases on February 3, 2025, or January 14, 2025.
