Officer-involved shooting causing injury in Fort McMurray
On Dec. 12, at approximately 5:35 p.m., a female called the RCMP about an unknown person present in a basement suite she rented out. She resided on the upper floor of the residence and could hear crying coming from her tenant’s suite below. She felt that police assistance was needed.
Four RCMP officers from the Fort McMurray detachment attended and noted there were multiple people in the suite. The officers attempted to speak with the occupants but a male, who was not the tenant, was verbally aggressive in responding to them. A decision was made to enter the suite to perform a welfare check.
Officers entered the suite and began clearing the residence. While doing so, a male was observed fleeing out of a basement window into the backyard of the residence. One officer entered the backyard and shortly thereafter discharged their firearm resulting in the male being hit by gunfire. Emergency medical services (EMS) were called and the male was transported to hospital where he remains in critical condition.
The involved officer suffered a head injury and was examined at the hospital and then released. Only the officer and the male were present in the backyard when gunfire occurred. Body worn cameras were not available to these officers at the time of the incident.
As part of its ongoing investigation, ASIRT is working to identify people who may have witnessed aspects of the confrontation between the male and police. ASIRT is asking anyone who may have been in the area and may have witnessed these events to contact investigators at 780-644-1483.
Fatal officer-involved shooting in Cold Lake
On Dec. 14, at approximately 8:00 p.m., RCMP officers from the Bonnyville detachment responded to the area of 50 Street and 43 Avenue in Cold Lake. A 911 caller had reported an altercation between two males, one of whom had a knife.
It was later determined that the unarmed male had left the scene and was not injured during this altercation.
Three RCMP officers responded to the area and located a male who matched the description of the armed man provided by the caller. This individual subsequently produced a knife and approached the officers.
One RCMP officer discharged a firearm while another officer discharged a Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) at the male.
The male suffered gunshot injuries as a result. EMS arrived shortly afterwards, and the officers assisted with on-site emergency treatment. The male was transported to the hospital by ambulance where he was declared deceased.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the use of force by the officers. No additional information will be released.
As part of its ongoing investigation, ASIRT is working to identify people who may have witnessed aspects of the confrontation between the man and police. ASIRT is asking anyone who may have been in the area and may have witnessed these events and/or may have cell phone or dash cam video to contact investigators at 780-644-1483.
ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.