‘Out of a movie scene’: Officer shot, suspect found dead after chaotic chase through Calgary park
Posted Aug 10, 2026 12:28 pm.
Last Updated Aug 11, 2026 1:41 am.
A police officer was shot during a traffic stop in Calgary on Monday morning and the suspect was later found dead following a chaotic chase through a popular city park.
Calgary police say the incident began when officers stopped a black truck in the southwest neighbourhood of Spruce Cliff around 11:45 a.m.
During the stop, a man inside the vehicle allegedly got out of the truck and started firing shots from a handgun, striking an officer multiple times. The suspect then ran from the vehicle into a wooded area of nearby Edworthy Park.
“This was very dynamic and unfolded within seconds,” said Calgary police chief Katie McLellan during an update on Monday afternoon. “This incident began as a traffic stop and changed in an instant.”
WATCH: Shooting near Edworthy Park leaves officer injured
Police quickly ordered a major crime response that called on additional officers across the city, tactical units, canine units, and HAWCS helicopter to respond the the park.
HAWCS was able to track the suspect and directed officers on the ground. Police say the suspect continued firing at officers and other people in the area as he ran away, with some officers returning fire.
“He was also shooting at our HAWCS helicopter,” said McLellan. “Several rounds fired from this offender trying to injure and kill innocent people.”
Police issued a “dangerous person alert” around noon warning that they were looking for an outstanding suspect in the park. People in the area and nearby residents were asked to shelter-in-place.
Officers were reportedly yelling to bystanders in the park to either run away or take cover behind vehicles.
“We were yelling at the public to get away as we ran toward the gunfire,” said CPS Insp. Darren Smith. “It was like out of a movie scene.”
Investigators believe the suspect at one point carjacked someone inside the park, drove for a short distance before becoming stuck, and then took off on foot again.
He was found dead in the Bow River before officers could reach him, according to police. In an update posted to social media around 12:45 p.m., police said the dangerous person alert had ended along with the threat.
“We do know that he was subject to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, however, we cannot say whether or not any of our officers also struck they offender,” said Smith.
Several emergency and rescue crews could be seen along the show of the Bow River near Shouldice Park after the alert ended.
Police say the man was known to them and was involved in organized crime, but added that there was no indication the traffic stop would escalate into anything else.
“This was a random traffic stop, the circumstances around it are still being investigated,” said Smith, who did confirm the truck that police stopped was not stolen.
The injured police officer has been taken to hospital and is in stable condition. No other injuries have been reported.
“We are relieved that are member is in stable condition, alert, and communicating,” said McLellan. “I was with him at the hospital this afternoon, alongside his wife and teammates, and he is receiving excellent care.”
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been called in to investigate the actions of the officers involved. ASIRT investigates any interaction involving police that results in serious injury or death.
Several entrances to Edworthy Park remain closed and police say a heavy police presence will remain with the investigation ongoing.
Any witnesses who may have additional information on the incident are being asked to call the non-emergency line.
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