At 3:09 a.m., an officer from the Strathcona RCMP detachment was conducting patrols at the Tempo gas station on Highway 16 near Ardrossan, where the officer noticed a white BMW SUV with a stolen licence plate. There were two occupants: a male driver and a female passenger. The officer ordered the occupants to exit the vehicle.
In response, an occupant discharged what appeared to be a firearm in the direction of the officer. The officer returned one round, and the driver drove away quickly. The officer was not injured.
At 5:23 p.m., the RCMP received a report of a white BMW SUV driving erratically on Highway 21 near New Sarepta. Officers located the vehicle in the ditch. Two males and one female were observed on the scene. Officers approached one of the males, whereupon an incident occurred where the two officers discharged their firearms at the male, striking him. Emergency medical services was called; however, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the male was declared deceased at the scene.
A non-police firearm was located at the scene.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the uses of force, and whether the two incidents are related. 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 confrontations between the men 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.