At approximately 6:30 a.m., the man was observed sitting at a picnic table on the north side of 103A Avenue, in front of Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Headquarters. He was holding what appeared to be a handgun.
At 6:40 a.m., EPS officers responded and observed the man walking northbound on 96 Street just north of 103A Avenue. The man turned around to face the officers, but continued walking backwards northbound on 96 Street. The man was carrying what appeared to be a firearm with an extended barrel.
The man continued to walk backwards away from the officers while still holding the object. He then headed east on the walking path between the Bissell Centre and the LRT tunnel. Additional police officers responded to the area.
Officers spoke to the man and attempted to de-escalate the situation. A conducted energy weapon was deployed twice against the man. The man continued to back away from officers while holding the object. At approximately 6:47 a.m., a confrontation occurred on the northeast corner of the intersection of 95 Street and the surface LRT tracks, during which four officers discharged their firearms, striking the man.
Officers provided first aid to the man until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) could attend. EMS then transported him to the hospital, where he was declared deceased at 7:45 a.m.
Two potential improvised firearms and a modified imitation firearm were located at the scene.
One of the potential improvised firearms located at the scene.
The modified imitation firearm located at the scene.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the uses 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.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.