On that day at about 8:50 p.m., the Red Deer Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received several calls reporting an erratic driver operating a grey Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle was located by RCMP a short time later entering the parking garage of the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Both the responding RCMP member and the driver and lone occupant of the Jetta, the 46-year-old man, exited their vehicles, whereupon the police officer began speaking with the man. The officer called for backup, which arrived a short time later while attempts to communicate with the man continued. At this time, a confrontation occurred between the man and the police officers on scene which resulted in several members of the RCMP discharging their service firearms. During this confrontation, the man sustained gunshot wounds, and RCMP members provided first aid to the man until the arrival of EMS, who pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Video evidence obtained by ASIRT shows the man was in physical possession of a compound bow following his exit from the vehicle and at the time of the confrontation. Following the incident, a compound bow and several arrows were recovered from the scene and have been seized as exhibits by ASIRT investigators.
Compound bow and arrows recovered from the incident scene.
ASIRT is seeking witnesses to this incident, and asks any members of the public who may have witnessed the events inside the parking garage, or who may have video of the incident, to please contact investigators at 403-592-4306. ASIRT’s investigation will examine the actions of police during this incident, while the RCMP will maintain responsibility for the investigation into the man and his actions. With ASIRT’s investigation underway, no further information will be released at this time.
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.