A man was rushed to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries Friday night after he was shot by a police officer in southwest Calgary, according to police.
Police said the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the shooting which occurred at about 8:10 p.m. at a 7-Eleven convenience store in the 4600-block of 37 Street S.W.
Officers were called to the store after someone reported a man “acting erratically” and who reportedly “produced a knife.” Police said staff and others in the store called 911 believing they were in danger.
According to police, officers “contained the building, but the situation escalated and an officer fired his (Calgary Police) Service firearm at the man.”
A source told Global News someone lit the 7-Eleven store on fire but did not provide further details about who or what happened.
A witness told Global News they saw smoke coming from the 7-Eleven before they heard a loud sound.
“All I saw is the store just burst out in flames,” James Wisniewski said. “I saw some people run out, screaming and stuff, but I didn’t know exactly what happened.”
The Calgary Fire Department was called to put the fire out at the convenience store.
Police said only the suspect was injured in the incident.
Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
View photos of Friday’s incident in southwest Calgary in the gallery below:
-With files from Nancy Hixt and Tony Tighe