A Medicine Hat, Alta., man who had a standoff with police nearly two years ago has been found not criminally responsible for attempted murder.

Cole Scory, 31, fired a shotgun multiple times inside the apartment building where he lived on July 27, 2024.

Over the course of a two-day trial at the Medicine Hat Court House, Scory testified he believed he was acting on the orders of police and was shooting at a gang.

A pair of local officers who took the witness stand said Scory fired on four service members wearing police gear. Body camera video shown at the trial depicted the four officers attempting to communicate with Scory and identifying themselves as police.

On Friday, Justice Grace Auger agreed with the Crown’s version of events and found Scory committed the acts that led to the attempted murder charges.

Psychiatrist Dr. Kenneth Hashman, who has been treating Scory since shortly after the incident, testified he diagnosed him as being on the schizophrenia spectrum.

Auger agreed with Hashman’s assessment and found Scory was not criminally responsible due to his mental illness.

‘Like it was yesterday’

Scory told the court he remains employed by the Medicine Hat Police Service and communicates with them through an earpiece.

He said on Thursday he remembers the July 2024 incident “like it was yesterday.”

He said he was informed there were murderers in a neighbouring apartment through an in-ear device he used to communicate with police.

Scory testified he fired a shotgun through the door into the apartment and hit someone inside.

When owner John Karamanos entered the building, Scory discharged the gun in his direction, causing him to leave.

Scory then waited for police to arrive.

When he heard people come to the front entrance, he said he believed they were members of a local gang coming to kill him.

He admitted to firing his gun towards people at the doorway of the building but denies shooting at police.

When he was struck by return fire, Scory said he crawled to his apartment and asked for help.

Police officers testify

Sgt. Eric Marshall and Cst. Mackenzie Kipta were among the four officers who responded to calls reporting gunfire at the apartment building.

The officers said they identified themselves as police, and Kipta attempted to negotiate with Scory, who told them in response that he wanted to discharge his weapon.

After less than a half-hour of attempted negotiations, Scory appeared from behind a stairwell wall on the second floor and fired towards the officers, according to testimony.

Marshall, then an officer with the tactical response team, told court he was struck by shrapnel and felt pressure generated by the shotgun fire.

He fired back, but didn’t believe he hit Scory.

Scory disappeared behind the wall, Marshall said.

When he returned to fire at the officers again, Marshall shot and injured Scory.

When Scory fell out of sight behind a wall, Marshall said he fired at the wall to create a hole and attempt to stop the threat.

Marshall said he suffers from worsening hearing loss due to the shotgun blasts and will require hearing aids in the future.

‘Not a criminal’

Scory retreated to his apartment after the exchange of gunfire.

The standoff continued for about two more hours, according to testimony and a related November 2025 ASIRT report.

Scory was eventually transported to hospital for gunshot wounds to his right leg and lower abdomen.

Defence lawyer Darcy Shurtz said he agrees with the court’s ruling. 

“This is not a criminal; he’s someone who suffers from a mental health disorder,” Shurtz told CBC News after the trial concluded.

“It’s unfortunate that he did not receive the help he required prior to this incident.”

The justice ordered Scory to remain at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre, where he’s been held since 2024.

Scory will appear before the Criminal Code Review Board within 45 days to evaluate his risk to public safety. That body will determine whether he remains in hospital, has a conditional discharge or is set free.