Supports are being offered to the residents of the northeast Calgary neighbourhood of Abbeydale on Wednesday after an officer was shot by a robbery suspect who was later found dead in a burned-out garage.
Const. Jordan Forget was shot Tuesday after what started as a convenience store robbery turned into an attempted carjacking, then a break-in.
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) said Wednesday that anyone impacted by the traumatic incident can reach out to the victim assistance support team.
“Large criminal incidents can often impact people’s feelings of safety and well-being, even for people not directly involved in the incident,” CPS said in a release.
“Everyone responds differently to large-scale events and it is important that anyone struggling to process their thoughts or emotions reaches out for help.”
WATCH: Calgary police officer Jordan Forget is recovering at Foothills Medical Centre following a dramatic manhunt and shooting that unfolded in the Abbeydale neighbourhood. Blake Lough recaps what led to the shooting.
Police said the suspect carried a gun and opened fire in between two homes before running into a neighbourhood garage, which eventually became fully engulfed in flames when officers tried to arrest him.
Once the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) extinguished the fire, one man was found dead inside.
By 1:32 p.m. the incident was declared over. A number of road blockages remained in place throughout the afternoon.
Forget remains in hospital in stable condition and his family is thanking the public for the outpouring of support.
“It is completely normal to be shaken by a major event like yesterday, especially if you were asked to stay in your basement or witnessed what happened,” Sgt. Andrea Koolick said.
“If you are finding it difficult to manage your emotions or have noticed a sudden change in your behaviour after the stress of yesterday, we would like to help you.”
The team, which was created in 1977, is made up of volunteers that are highly trained to help reduce the impacts people feel after being involved in a crime or tragedy.
Notley ‘hopeful for speedy recovery’ of officer
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley expressed her support for the officer and his family on Wednesday morning.
“Our best wishes go out to the officer and his family,” she said. “We are very hopeful for his speedy recovery.”
WATCH: Calgary Police Chief Roger Chaffin explains the reaction after an event like the shooting of a fellow officer in Abbeydale.
Notley added that the government has to work on preventing crime across the province.
“That’s why we have increased investment in that regard on a number of fronts,” she said.
She also said the province has a lot of work to do when it comes to gangs and drugs, adding programs like ALERT are focused on that.
Two-part investigation
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) said in a Wednesday release the death of the suspect is considered an “in-custody death” because he died in a building being contained by police.
As a result, ASIRT will lead the investigation into the circumstances around the death of the man found in the garage, while the CPS leads the investigation into the shooting of the officer and what led to it.
ASIRT said neither the cause of the man’s death, nor his identity, have been confirmed. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.
ASIRT is asking anyone who witnessed the event or may have photos or video of it unfolding to contact them at 403-592-4306.
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