IQALUIT - The Kimmirut man on trial for killing an RCMP officer testified in his own defense in the Nunavut Court of Justice on March 5.

Pingoatuk Kolola, 39, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of RCMP Const. Douglas Scott in Kimmirut in November 2007. Scott was killed while responding to a drunk driving call.

Speaking in Inuktitut, Kolola told jurors the shot fired from his .30-06 rifle on Nov. 5 was meant as a warning and was not intended to hit the officer.

"I just shot in the general direction of the vehicle," Kolola told the court.

Defense lawyer Andrew Mahar asked Kolola if he intended to shoot Scott.

"Ping, did you mean to shoot the police officer in the vehicle that night?"

"No," Kolola said.

On the night of Scott's death, Kolola and his spouse had been fighting because she was threatening to have Kolola removed from their home, the court heard.

Kolola then drank a 375 ml bottle of alcohol and left the house at approximately 10 p.m., bringing his baby son, Adam, his rifle and a diaper bag with him.

Kolola said he brought the gun because he intended to kill himself.

Kolola drove around Kimmirut in a truck until it got stuck near a pile of lumber. When an RCMP truck arrived at approximately 11 p.m., Kolola shot in the direction of the truck while holding the baby.

Scott was later found dead in the vehicle.

During her cross-examination, Crown lawyer Susanne Boucher said if the shot was intended as a warning, Kolola could have fired the gun in another direction. Boucher also asked why Kolola walked up to the vehicle after shooting. She stated that if the officer inside had not been killed, he could have responded by shooting Kolola.

"If you shoot at a police officer, the police officer is probably going to shoot back," Boucher said.

All evidence in the case has been submitted and closing arguments will be heard on March 8.