A man police said was wanted on an outstanding warrant is in hospital after being shot by an officer in north Edmonton Thursday night.
Alberta’s police watchdog is now investigating.
The situation began at around 6 p.m. as officers were following the suspect, whom they said was “driving erratically” through the north end of the city.
“The suspect was being investigated for potential threats against the Edmonton Police Service,” Acting Chief Kevin Brezinski told reporters Thursday night. “The suspect abandoned a Chevy Impala vehicle, near 128 Avenue and 54 Street, before attempting to flee the scene on foot.
“The suspect was then verbally challenged by officers and failed to follow the officers’ commands. There was a confrontation that ultimately resulted in an officer discharging his service weapon, striking the suspect. The male was treated and transported to hospital by paramedics, where he remains in stable condition.”
Brezinski said the man was “being arrested for two breaches” but did not take questions from reporters.
In a release issued Friday, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) said the man was 35 years old.
Police said the officer who fired his gun has four years of service and has passed his annual mandatory pistol qualification. As per police protocol, the officer involved will be placed on administrative leave.
The shooting scene is located in an industrial area north of Yellowhead Trail. A construction lift could be seen parked inside the area police taped off. The tape was also blocking off the doors of a construction company.
Police said they would not comment further as ASIRT has taken the lead in the investigation.
Watch below: Edmonton Police Service Acting Chief Kevin Brezinski provides a statement to reporters on Thursday night after a man was shot by an officer on the city’s north side. Brezinski said the man was “wanted” and “being investigated for potential threats against the Edmonton Police Service.”
Global News has reached out to ASIRT for comment.
The civilian oversight agency is called in to investigate incidents involving Alberta law enforcement officers that result in injury or death, as well as “serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.”
ASIRT is already investigating two officer-involved shootings that occurred in Edmonton this month.
On March 13, police received several 911 calls about a man holding a rifle, standing in the intersection of 137 Avenue and 50 Street. The man was shot by police although he did survive. He is now facing numerous charges.
On March 9, police shot and killed a man in southwest Edmonton’s Hodgson neighbourhood. According to police, an officer was responding to reports of a possibly impaired driver.
RAW VIDEO: Watch below – Alberta’s police watchdog is investigating after a man was shot by an Edmonton police officer near 52 Street and 128 Avenue on Thursday night.
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