Two dead after shooting on Memorial Drive

Two people are confirmed dead after a police-involved shooting in the northeast Monday.

The incident started at Manning Close NE around 10:15 a.m., according to police, where a driver was operating a large cube van in an erratic manner that was dangerous to the public.

Police received a call and began to search for the van, before locating it and following it. They add that multiple intersections were closed to ensure the van was not able to enter the populated downtown core.

Investigators say the incident escalated at 11 a.m. when an officer discharged their firearm.

Both Calgary police and EMS confirm two people are deceased, though have yet to confirm their identifies.

No vehicles are getting through on Memorial Drive from Edmonton Trail to the Calgary Zoo turnoff for the time being.

Footage posted to Twitter shows the area around the Bow River filled with the sound of sirens and what appear to be gunshots.

So avoid Memorial or anywhere close…huge Calgary Police presence.

We’re those shots fired in the video??#yyc #calgary pic.twitter.com/S5KeyNGoEU

— Ryan Northcott (@ryannorthcott) May 29, 2023

Ryan Northcott heard the shots fired from his home in East Village.

He said he initially took interest when there was a large police presence along Memorial Drive.

He added it appeared police were stopping vehicles near Edmonton Trail when he heard several shots fired.

Northcott, a video producer, says he had his camera out when it happened.

“I was panning left and right and there was probably four, five six shots, what sounded like gunfire. That was not what I expected in any way, shape or form,” he said.

ROAD CLOSURE – POLICE INCIDENT

Both directions of Memorial Drive are currently closed between Edmonton Trail & St. George’s Drive N.E., due to an ongoing police incident. Further details will be released as they are available.

There is no risk to public safety at this time. pic.twitter.com/BZgShBWu73

— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) May 29, 2023

Vay Canares said he was driving along Deerfoot Trail Monday morning when he saw a cube van with its back doors open, being followed by police.

“I saw a box truck being followed by six police cars and it’s a slow chase, it’s a slow chase,” he said.

CityNews660 has a reporter on scene. You can listen live for updates on this unfolding situation, and any major traffic updates every ten minutes on the ones. You can also subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

Calgary police say that ASIRT will be the primary investigator for this incident and more information will be released as it becomes available.