Alberta’s police watchdog has cleared a Calgary officer of wrongdoing following a police shooting in March 2016.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was called in to investigate the shooting in Calgary’s Stanley Park on March 20.
In a statement on Wednesday, ASIRT said officers approached a man in the southwest park after receiving complaints about a man with a gun. Investigators said that when the man began walking away, two officers identified themselves as police and told him to stop.
ASIRT said one of the officers fired off two rounds when the man pointed “what appeared to be a handgun” at the CPS member.
The man, who wasn’t hit, ran a short distance before other officers eventually caught up with him. ASIRT said he put down his gun and surrendered.
Police seized the weapon, which ASIRT said turned out to be a replica antique handgun.
“None of the witnesses – civilian or police – could tell it was a replica until it was seized during the man’s arrest,” a statement read.
Watch below: ASIRT investigate Calgary Shooting in Stanley Park
ASIRT said the 23-year-old suspect was arrested, and that he appeared to be intoxicated, delusional and making “bizarre statements.”
The review found the decision to use force was reasonable “given the potential threat posed by the man.”
As a result, no charges will be laid against the officer.