Charges laid against Calgary police officer in 2022 suspect shooting

A Calgary police officer has been charged with aggravated assault and careless use of a firearm in connection to an incident that happened in the northwest community of Varsity Estates in 2022.

On Wednesday, Const. Christopher Huggins was charged with the offences, which Alberta’s police watchdog (ASIRT) says are connected to him firing his service weapon during an arrest more than two years ago.

ASIRT says just before midnight on Dec. 21, 2022, Calgary Police Service (CPS) officers received a call about a man with a sword in a parkade on Varsity Estates Circle NW.

Police arrived at the scene a short time later and found the man, who was still in possession of the sword.

According to investigators, the man moved into a mechanical room and barricaded himself inside.

Officers spoke to the man and after some time, deployed a pepper spray fogger into the mechanical room.

The man eventually came out of the room, still holding the sword, ASIRT says.

A confrontation between police and the man ensued, and multiple officers deployed baton launchers. However, one officer discharged his gun and hit the man, which caused him to fall to the ground.

A police service dog moved the man away from the sword before he was given first aid care by police and paramedics.

He was ultimately take to hospital with serious injuries.

The sword in question was found on scene, and police say there was “significant” damage to the mechanical room where the man had barricaded himself.

An investigation into the matter by ASIRT has since determined there are reasonable grounds to believe the officer had committed a crime.

After Huggins was charged, he was released on an undertaking and given a court date of March 21.

CPS says Huggins is a 10-year member of the force. His duty status will be reviewed by CPS in light of the charges.