The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has been directed to investigate a fatal police shooting near the hamlet of Entwistle.
Alberta RCMP said Sunday night that Highway 16 at Range Road 73 was closed in both directions for a “police incident.”
“Delays are expected in the area for several hours while the RCMP investigate,” the RCMP said.
“Alberta Highways has been contacted, police are asking those travelling in the area to take appropriate measures to detour.”
On Monday, the RCMP issued a news release with more details as to what allegedly happened.
According to police, officers received an alert around 4:45 p.m. Sunday to be on the lookout for a man wanted for aggravated assault. The suspect was believed to be armed with a gun.
Police allege the suspect was involved in an incident that originated out of Onion Lake, Sask.
At around 8:30 p.m., police received information from the suspect’s cell phone suggesting he was west of Edmonton. RCMP attempted to pull over the suspect while heading westbound on Highway 16, but the vehicle didn’t stop.
During a pursuit that continued west, a tire deflation device was successful in stopping the suspect’s vehicle on Highway 16 near Range Road 73, just east of Entwistle.
Once the vehicle stopped, police said an “interaction” happened between the suspect and police, leading officers to fire their weapons.
Despite first aid from RCMP, police said the suspect died on scene. No officers were injured.
On Sunday, ASIRT tweeted it had been directed to investigate a police shooting.
The highway was reopened as of 3:30 a.m., police said.
Entwistle is about 90 kilometres west of Edmonton in Parkland County.