On the afternoon of August 7, 2015, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate an officer involved shooting in Edson, Alberta.
As part of that continuing investigation, ASIRT is seeking to speak with additional witnesses to the incident. ASIRT is asking for the public’s help to locate anyone who may have witnessed the events at or near the Edson Provincial Courthouse on the afternoon of Friday, August 7, 2015.
On the afternoon of August 7, 2015, a 27-year-old man attended at the Edson Probation Office located in the Edson Provincial Courthouse to speak with a probation officer. The man, known to the probation officer, was visibly upset, displayed signs of impairment and engaged in erratic behaviour. While with the probation officer, the man produced a weapon and threatened suicide. He was asked to leave and staff called the RCMP to report that the man was at the courthouse armed with a weapon.
Edson RCMP members responded to the courthouse and located the man in a grassy area to the north west of the courthouse, directly across the road from a busy commercial area. A confrontation occurred that resulted in the man being shot and wounded by police, suffering life-threatening injuries. The man was known to police.
Emergency medical care was immediately provided. The man was transported to the Edson hospital where he was stabilized and then flown by STARS air ambulance to an Edmonton hospital. He is in stable condition.
ASIRT’s investigation began immediately and ASIRT investigators on scene have interviewed some witnesses. However, ASIRT would like to interview any other witnesses, as the incident happened in a busy commercial area. In particular, ASIRT investigators would like to speak with any members of a work crew at a hotel across the street from the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact ASIRT at 780-644-1483 or toll-free by first dialing 310-0000.
The RCMP Major Crimes Unit is responsible for the investigation into the actions of the man involved. ASIRT’s investigation is focused on the actions of police and the circumstances surrounding the officer involved shooting. No further information is available from ASIRT at this time.
ASIRT is a civilian-led independent investigative unit responsible for the effective, independent, and objective investigation of 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.