At 12:55 p.m., CPS received a 911 call from a female who said she had been assaulted by a male. Officers spoke with the female at 1:04 p.m. and she told them that the man had left the residence and was going to get on a bus.
At 1:16 p.m., officers located the man, who was still on the bus. He exited when asked to and was told that he was under arrest. He then pulled out a knife and held it to his own throat. One of the responding officers drew his handgun and another officer drew her conducted energy weapon (CEW).
The man slashed the knife against the side of his neck repeatedly. One of the officers discharged a CEW twice at the man, but both were ineffective. The other officer then fired his handgun twice, striking the man in the lower leg.
The man continued to slash at his own neck and began to walk away. A less-lethal baton launcher and other CEWs were used by officers. One of the CEWs was effective and the man was handcuffed.
Officers provided first aid to the man on scene, who had minor cuts to his neck and a gunshot wound to his lower leg. Emergency medical services assumed care for the man at 1:27 p.m. and he was transported to the hospital.
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 403-592-4306.
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.