More details released about Airdrie rural RCMP officer related-shooting

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has released more details about an RCMP officer related-shooting that occurred last month in Wheatland County involving an Airdrie Rural RCMP officer. 

According to ASIRT at approximately 1:56 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) received a call from a family member of the affected person (AP) who notified CPS that the individual had threatened suicide before leaving in a vehicle.

The individual was travelling east from Calgary on Highway 564 and was followed by the CPS HAWCS helicopter, which captured video of the individual's vehicle travelling at very excessive speeds and crossing over into oncoming traffic, causing other motorists to take evasive action.

"CPS engaged the RCMP, who attended the area. Because of the danger posed by the AP’s vehicle, the RCMP decided to deploy a spike belt," ASIRT stated. "The spike belt brought the individual’s car to a stop on Highway 564, whereupon the AP; got out of their car and ran at an RCMP officer with an item in their hand."

Item recovered at the scene. (Pen included in photo to provide scale.) (Photo provided by ASIRT)

According to ASIRT, the AP yelled threats at the RCMP officer while the officer retreated from them.

"When the individual attempted to enter the RCMP vehicle, the officer fired his conductive energy weapon but failed to stop them. The AP then ran at the officer with the item still in their hand."

The officer discharged their firearm, striking the individual and causing them to fall to the ground and drop the item. The interaction was captured by both the HAWCS video as well as recording equipment in the officer’s vehicle.

On February 24, RCMP stated that a 37-year-old Calgary resident who was shot by the RCMP would be appearing in Airdrie court in late April after several charges.

"As a result of an investigation by the Southern Alberta District General Investigation Section into the incidents leading up to the officer-involved shooting, charges have been pursued," an earlier RCMP press release stated. 

The individual was charged with Assaulting Peace Officer with a weapon, Flight from Peace Officer, Dangerous Operation of a motor vehicle, Possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats. RCMP confirmed the weapon was a knife.

ASIRT said its investigation will examine the use of force by the officer and that no additional information will be released.