UPDATE: On Aug. 31, 2023, ASIRT released the findings of its investigation and said it had concluded that police were “acting properly in the execution of their duties.” The police watchdog added that “there is no evidence to support any belief that either of the subject officers engaged in any unlawful or unreasonable conduct that would give rise to an offence” and noted “the force used was proportionate, necessary and reasonable in all the circumstances.” You can read the report in its entirety here.
Alberta’s police watchdog has been called to investigate police officers’ actions, after an attempt to stop an allegedly stolen vehicle resulted in an RCMP officer firing their gun and a suspect being injured in Grande Prairie.
According to the RCMP, officers with the Grande Prairie detachment responded to “an incident” near 132 Avenue and 100 Street early Tuesday morning. At about 4 a.m., they said, police tried to stop a vehicle and a “confrontation” between the officers and two suspects ensued, “which resulted in the discharge of a police weapon.”
On Thursday, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) provided an update on its investigation and further insight into what allegedly happened.
“A confrontation occurred between the occupants of the vehicle and RCMP officers that, based on the evidence gathered to date, led to an exchange of gunfire between the two men and police.
“One suspect was injured and is being treated for injuries at a medical facility,” the RCMP said in a news release issued Tuesday afternoon. “No officers were hurt and there was no concern for public safety at any point.”
On Thursday, police said the driver was seriously injured.
ASIRT said it believes the 21-year-old man injured was the driver and said he sustained injuries to his left leg and shoulder. The second man was arrested, ASIRT said.
Investigators also found two sawed-off long-barrelled guns at the scene.
On Thursday night, police said 21-year-old Raymond Andrew Rodtka of Grande Prairie has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of discharging a firearm with intent and a dozen additional charges.
Kevin Daniel Turner, 30, of Grande Prairie has been charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
The RCMP said that while ASIRT is investigating the “circumstances surrounding police conduct,” police will continue to lead the investigation looking into the events leading up to the officer-involved shooting.
ASIRT is called upon to investigate incidents involving Alberta law enforcement agencies that result in serious injury or death, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
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