Calgary police officer cleared in shooting of liquor store robbery, vandalism suspect

Alberta’s police watchdog has cleared a Calgary cop of wrongdoing in the shooting of a liquor store robbery suspect in August.

Officers were called to Ace Liquor at 5032 16 Avenue NW in Montgomery on Sunday, Aug. 18, after an employee made a call to 911 to report a theft and vandalism.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) says a man went into the liquor store with a hammer and stole a bottle of vodka. On his way out of the store, the man smashed a glass door with the hammer.

He then made his way to a nearby park and sat down, now in possession of knife.

Two officers attended the scene and immediately activated their body worn cameras.

ASIRT says they can be heard on footage telling the man to drop the knife, while telling him he is under arrest for the robbery.

He refuses, instead moving toward the officers and pointing the knife at them, while asking that they shoot him.

The man continued to close the distance between himself and the officers.

One officer ultimately fired two shots, one of which hit the man in the leg.

He was provided care by EMS on scene and was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators say following the incident, the man told ASIRT of his struggles with mental health and addiction, and that his intention was to commit suicide by cop.

ASIRT found the officer was justified in discharging her service weapon as the suspect was in possession of a deadly weapon and refused to surrender.

The investigation is now closed.