At 1:23 p.m., Maskwacis RCMP received a call regarding a male discharging a firearm in a rural area on Samson Cree Nation. Officers drove to the area and, at approximately 2:03 p.m., one of them located a male carrying a rifle and walking down a rural road near the intersection of Range Road 250 and Township Road 442.

A second officer, coming from the opposite direction, arrived soon after in his police vehicle. The male walked toward the vehicle, pointing the rifle upward. He stopped as the officer approached him on foot with his firearm drawn. The male then pointed the rifle in the officer’s direction and, at approximately 2:04 p.m., the officer discharged his firearm, striking the male. The male fell to the ground shortly after. A rifle was located on the scene.

ASIRT investigation continues into RCMP officer-involved shooting causing death in Maskwacis

Rifle located on scene

Officers provided first aid until emergency medical services (EMS) attended. EMS transported the male to a hospital in Edmonton. On Dec. 3, the male passed away.

ASIRT’s investigation will examine the use of force. No additional information will be released.

As part of its ongoing investigation, ASIRT is continuing efforts 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 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.

ASIRT

This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.