Police arrest suspect after gunfire exchange on QE II near Carstairs: RCMP

A Calgary police officer shot at a suspect who opened fire on police and Alberta RCMP on the QE II Saturday morning near Carstairs after police disabled the man’s vehicle with a spike strip and attempted an arrest.

Mounties say the incident started Friday when they were notified by Calgary police just before midnight about a suspect who fled from police previously being “covertly” followed by a HAWCS helicopter.

Officers in Calgary confirmed the details, saying they responded to reports of a man causing property damage inside a home, damage to a vehicle, and injuring a cat in the city’s southwest at 10:45 p.m.

A covert tire deflation device was set up on the QE II east of Carstairs near Highway 581 with the help of CPS and RCMP from Airdrie, Didsbury, Olds and Sundre.

Cpl. Troy Savinkoff tells CityNews the suspect was arrestable at the time for assault, fleeing police, and dangerous driving.

He says the suspect opened fire with a firearm after police attempted a traffic stop when the tires were blown, leading to an exchange of gunfire. No injuries were sustained between the police and the suspect.

“It’s a very dangerous situation,” Savinkoff said.

“It’s fortunate that police were able to disengage from him, set up containment, and ultimately, through communication through our real times operation centre, were able to de-escalate the situation, ultimately culminating with a successful arrest.”

Calgary police later released a statement saying a CPS officer shot at the suspect.

“We can confirm that during the exchange of gunfire between police and the suspect that occurred on Highway 2 near Highway 581, a CPS officer discharged their service firearm,” police said.

Mounties say they notified the director of law enforcement “immediately,” leading to Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) being tasked with investigating the situation.

“Independent of ASIRT’s investigation, the RCMP’s and CPS’s internal review processes have been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident, including Police training, policy, and response,” police said in a news release.

With files from Nadia Moharib