ASIRT continues to investigate SW Calgary police shooting

Alberta’s police watchdog is continuing to investigate a police shooting in the city’s southwest last month.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) began investigating after a man was shot by a Calgary officer in the southwest community of Yorkville on Aug. 18.

ASIRT says Calgary police got a 911 call from a woman around 1 p.m. who reported being attacked by a man at her home. She told police the man left the house and was getting on a bus.

About 15 minutes later, responding officers found the man on the bus. He got off the bus, and when police tried to arrest him, he pulled out a knife and threatened to harm himself.

One officer pulled out their gun, and another pulled out their conducted energy weapon (CEW), according to ASIRT.

When the suspect started to harm himself with the knife, the officer with the CEW fired it twice at him. Both shots proved ineffective.

The officer with the gun then shot twice and hit the man in his lower leg, but he was undeterred. ASIRT says officers fired a baton launcher and more CEWs at him, and he was eventually handcuffed.

Police provided first aid to the man for minor cuts and the gunshot wound to his leg. Paramedics arrived and rushed the man to the hospital around 1:27 p.m.

ASIRT continues to investigate the use of force by responding officers.

Anyone who witnessed the confrontation involving officers is urged to call investigators at 403-592-4306.