Man shot by Edmonton police had gun, was breaking lifetime firearms ban: ASIRT

The man fatally wounded by Edmonton police officers in a confrontation Friday had three Criminal Code court-ordered lifetime prohibitions on possessing firearms and/or ammunition, ASIRT said Monday.

In a news release, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team said the 48-year-old man was seen with a gun in the alley behind the Eastglen Motor Inn on 118 Avenue and 69 Street, and then in the backyard of a nearby residence.

Police received several reports of him at around 4:06 p.m.

“The man was identified by name and a description was provided,” ASIRT said.

1:32 Large police scene in northeast Edmonton

Police and a tactical unit responded and surrounded the residence within about 10 minutes.

“At the rear of the residence, the officers encountered the man and a confrontation occurred that resulted in the two officers discharging their service weapons, striking the man and fatally wounding him,” ASIRT said.

The agency said a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun with a single round in the chamber was recovered at the scene scene. The man had nine more shotgun shells and a fully loaded magazine with five rounds in his pockets, ASIRT said.

The agency investigates incidents involving Alberta police officers that result in serious injury or death to a person, or that leads to serious or sensitive allegations of misconduct.

Edmonton police chief Dale McFee addressed the incident during a news conference on Monday.

“On Friday evening, there was an officer-involved shooting that ended in a loss of life. This incident has shook us all, as they always do.

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“While we cannot speak specifically to the incident as it is under investigation by ASIRT. . . It’s important for all of us to honour a life that was lost and recognize the trauma for everyone involved: our police officers, their families, the witnesses present, the victim, the victim’s family, the victim’s loved ones,” McFee said.

“Trauma is at the root of much of what we deal with and trauma will never ever be solved by policing alone. Trauma will never ever be solved by thinking it’s just an issue where we can move money around. This is about people.

“To make a difference to people, you need to understand people and you need to work with people and that’s our commitment to you.”