On October 11, 2016, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed by the Director of Law Enforcement to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 76-year-old Calgary man after an officer-involved shooting.
On that date, at approximately 11 a.m., Calgary Police Service (CPS) received a 911 call from a distressed person who screamed for help and then hung up.
As several officers arrived on scene and approached the residence, a 21-year-old man covered in blood exited the front door of the home. The man was carrying a cell phone in one hand and a knife in the other, which he dropped when instructed by police to do so. The injured man said he had been attacked by a family member while inside. While securing the residence, officers approached the rear of the house where they heard a loud noise coming from inside the detached garage.
Forcing open the pedestrian door to the garage, officers entered and observed a running vehicle with one end of a plastic hose attached to the vehicle’s exhaust and the other end venting into the back passenger window. The vehicle was not occupied. Officers also noted a table saw that was running which had been the source of the noise heard outside the garage. A man, also bloody and with an observable wound to the left side of his neck, appeared from the opposite corner of the garage holding a large butcher knife. A confrontation occurred resulting in one officer discharging a single round from his police service weapon striking the man. The man collapsed to the floor and officers provided immediate medical assistance until Emergency Medical Services personnel entered and assumed emergency medical aid. Notwithstanding their efforts, the man was pronounced deceased on scene. In rendering medical aid, it became apparent that in addition to the gunshot wound and the cut to the neck, the man had what appeared to be at least three additional stab wounds.
The knife that was in the possession of the 76-year-old man while in the garage was recovered on scene.
ASIRT’s investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the encounter between police and the 76-year-old man in the detached garage.
CPS investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the events that occurred between the two men prior to police arrival.
ASIRT’s investigation remains ongoing; no further information will be released at this time.
ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently, and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.