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Peter de Groot's brother Miles de Groot, centre, fights back tears as he looks at his father Peter de Groot Sr., right, while his sister Danna de Groot, second left, reads a statement during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday October 20, 2014. Forty-five-year-old Peter de Groot, the subject of a police manhunt in southern British Columbia earlier this month was killed by members of the RCMP's emergency response team.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press

The sister of the man shot dead by Mounties after a five-day manhunt in British Columbia's West Kootenay region says she tried to help police resolve the incident peacefully but was repeatedly dismissed by the RCMP.

Danna de Groot, who spoke on behalf of seven of Peter de Groot's friends and family members, said at a Vancouver news conference on Monday that the group wanted to clear up misinformation about last week's events.

Ms. de Groot described her brother as a well-read and well-travelled outdoorsman who excelled academically. After having what is believed to be an aneurysm and several seizures, Mr. de Groot – originally from Ontario – moved to Slocan, via Victoria, and focused on activities such as reading, writing, trapping and farming.

"Life outside suited him because he was able to be free, be outside and have fresh air," an emotional Ms. de Groot said. "He liked not having cell phone service."

Mr. de Groot, 45, triggered an intense manhunt on Oct. 9, when he allegedly shot at police with a rifle before fleeing into the woods. Neighbours said he had fallen on hard times and been in a dispute with someone over a looming eviction when police were called.

Police virtually locked down the village, warning residents to stay indoors. Officers, search dogs and helicopters flooded into the community of about 330. A tactical armoured vehicle and a crisis negotiator were also deployed.

When police contacted Mr. de Groot on Oct. 9, it was alleged that he had shoved someone, his sister said.

"I understand that three RCMP officers were dispatched … to arrest my brother for allegedly shoving this person and they did not approach him in a reasonable manner to ask him what had happened," she said. "I understand that the RCMP did not leave the road in front of his property, that they drove up with three vehicles, created a blockade and got out of their cars, that they stayed behind them and got out their guns."

After another sibling called Ms. de Groot, who lives in Vancouver, to tell her "police were hunting our brother," Ms. de Groot said she called an RCMP negotiator to find out what was going on and ask if she should go to Slocan.

"He said no, not to come," she said. "I said, 'Why not? What if you find him? What are you going to do?' He said, 'We're going to bring the incident to a conclusion.'"

After consulting lawyer Cameron Ward, Ms. de Groot drove to the area. She again got in touch with RCMP, who interviewed her twice but declined her offers to make contact with her brother, she said. When Ms. de Groot and another sibling, Miles, drove around Slocan looking for their brother's home, officers stopped them only to question their motives.

"Who was I? Why was I there? Was I there to meet him? Did I know who he was? Did I know where he was? Was I picking him up? They had no interest in using me to help resolve the situation," she said. "I said, 'I hope I find him before you do.' In retrospect, I wish I had begged them not to kill him."

The two siblings were near Mr. de Groot's cabin when they learned police – acting on a tip – had shot and killed their brother. Emergency Response Team (ERT) officers had reportedly opened the door to his cabin and saw him pointing a gun at them.

Police say Mr. de Groot died after "an interaction between the subject of the ongoing search and the two ERT members."

Ms. deGroot said the family is considering filing a civil suit against the police.

Mr. Ward, who has been professionally involved in two other RCMP ERT fatal shootings, said such incidents happen with "alarming frequency."

"It raises some questions about the conduct of the RCMP's emergency response team … in circumstances when they are deployed to rural parts of the province," he said. "Many, if not all, of these deaths – in my view – are not necessary."

The BC Coroners Service is investigating the death.

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