At 4:19 a.m., the Calgary Police Service (CPS) attended an abandoned building in an industrial area of Calgary. A security guard had noted broken glass and a possible entry point into the building. Five CPS officers attended with body-worn cameras operating.
After entering the building, the officers heard shouting coming from a washroom inside the building. The officers verbally directed the occupant of the washroom to exit but were not successful. The officers then entered the washroom, with two officers drawing their conductive energy weapons (CEWs) and one drawing their firearm.
When the officers entered the washroom, the affected person (AP) emerged from a bathroom stall and charged at one of the officers while raising a three-foot-long spike. Two officers deployed their CEWs but failed to halt the AP. Another officer discharged their firearm, striking the AP. Before being struck, the AP hit one of the officers with the spike, causing minor injuries.
The affected person was given medical treatment but died at the scene.
Below is a photo of the spike that was possessed by the AP.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the use of force by the officer. No additional information will be released.
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.