The shootings involved RCMP in Cold Lake and, separately, the RCMP near Fox Creek.
In both cases, the Police Review Commission directed ASIRT to investigate the incident as a Level 1 matter. Under the Police Act, Level 1 matters include incidents involving serious injury or death, or serious or sensitive concerns about an officer’s actions.
RCMP shooting in Cold Lake
On the morning of Aug. 4, Cold Lake RCMP officers responded to a call at an apartment about an intoxicated man who had reportedly been trying to harm himself.
Before arriving, dispatch advised officers that the man was the subject of an officer safety warning related to previous interactions with police.
At approximately 10 a.m., officers arrived at the apartment and advised the man he was under arrest. During an attempt to take him into custody, the man grabbed a knife and refused repeated commands to drop it. He advanced toward one of the officers, and during the confrontation that followed, another officer fired a service pistol, striking the man.
Officers immediately provided first aid and paramedics were called to the scene. The man was transported to hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.
RCMP shooting in Fox Creek
At about 10 p.m. on Aug. 4, the RCMP received a call about a domestic disturbance at a home in Fox Creek. The caller reported that a man had allegedly assaulted a woman and fired a gun inside the home. The caller also said there was a 12-year-old boy inside the residence.
Officers arrived and tried to contact the man. He refused to leave and police obtained a warrant to enter the house.
At around midnight, the RCMP deployed its Emergency Response Team (ERT) to the scene. Emergency Medical Services remained on standby while crisis negotiators used a loudhailer to direct the man to surrender.
Shortly after 2:15 a.m. on Aug. 5, ERT members took positions around the residence and crisis negotiators tried to communicate with the man.
At around 5 a.m., officers used less-lethal options in an attempt to get the man to surrender. The man appeared with a gun, and shortly after, an officer shot the man.
Emergency Response Team members and an advanced care paramedic staged nearby provided medical treatment. The man went to hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.
The information in this update reflects what investigators know at this early stage, and what can be shared while maintaining the integrity of the investigations. Both investigations remain ongoing, and no further information is available for release at this time.
ASIRT is part of the Police Review Commission, an independent civilian-led agency. ASIRT investigates potential criminal offences involving police across Alberta, including cases where the actions of a police officer may have resulted in serious injury or death.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Police Review Commission.