On Aug. 7, RCMP received a domestic violence complaint. A vehicle was identified as related to this complaint and, at approximately 7:27 a.m. on Aug. 8, RCMP officers located this vehicle. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled. Officers pursued and eventually successfully used a tire deflation device. The driver continued at a slower speed and during this stage of the pursuit, an occupant of the vehicle discharged a firearm in the direction of the pursuing officers.

The driver then went to the Centrex gas station in Smoky Lake. The occupants, one male and one female, exited the vehicle. The male was carrying the firearm, and together they stole a truck that was parked at the gas station. Officers arrived at the gas station, and one officer discharged their firearm at the fleeing vehicle at 7:58 a.m.

Officers continued to pursue the vehicle as it left Smoky Lake. After briefly losing sight of it, officers located the now-abandoned vehicle in dense trees near Range Road 172. RCMP emergency response team and police dog service officers began to track the occupants from this location.

At 10:11 a.m., officers observed the male occupant in a field. An interaction occurred between the officers and the male occupant, and officers discharged their firearms. Officers approached and located both occupants, who were wounded. A firearm was located near the man.

Emergency medical services provided care at the scene. The male was sent to an Edmonton-area hospital by air ambulance. The female was declared deceased by EMS.

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.

ASIRT

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