The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a man found inside a burned-out garage in the Abbeydale neighborhood of northeast Calgary.
On March 27, 2018, members of the Calgary Police Service (CPS) were responding to reports of an armed robbery, an attempted carjacking, and an attempted break and enter at a residence. While searching for a suspect, officers heard the sound of glass breaking and saw smoke coming from a detached garage. As CPS members approached the garage, someone fired shots at the officers, striking one of them. CPS members returned fire and moved the injured officer to cover.The Calgary Fire Department extinguished a fire in the garage. Once the fire was put out, personnel located a deceased male inside the garage.
ASIRT has a mandate to investigate incidents involving police that have resulted in the death or serious injury of a person. As the body was found inside a building that was being contained by police, it is considered an in-custody death. CPS will continue to conduct the investigation into the shooting of the officer and the alleged offences that took place in the preceding time period. ASIRT’s investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the death of the man found in the garage.
The identity of the man found in the garage has not been confirmed, and the cause of death has not been determined. An autopsy has been scheduled for today. With ASIRT’s investigation is in its early stages, there are currently no further details available and there will be no further comment from ASIRT at this time.
ASIRT is seeking the public’s assistance in this case. Anyone who may have witnessed the events, or who may have photos or video of the incident, is asked to call ASIRT at (403) 592-4306.