Two teenagers were arrested Friday evening on first-degree murder warrants in relation to the New Year’s Eve death of Calgary police Sgt. Andrew Harnett.
Investigators believed a 17-year-old was behind the wheel of the vehicle when it struck Harnett. Global News is not naming the 17-year-old in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
He and the 19-year-old passenger, Amir Abdulrahman, are both charged with murder, and turned themselves in at police headquarters at about 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Harnett was conducting a traffic stop when he was struck by an SUV that police say was fleeing the scene, in the area of Falconridge Boulevard and Falconridge Drive N.E., police said in a release.
Chief Mark Neufeld said Friday afternoon that Harnett was also dragged along the street, and that the driver would have known they’d hit and injured the officer.
Despite officers’ and EMS attempts to save his life, Harnett died in hospital at about midnight.
Neufeld said the homicide unit has taken over the investigation, and said it’s moving along so quickly because of “exceptional police work” Harnett did before he died, which helped identify the suspects.
“He is helping us solve this and bring those responsible to justice. His commitment to policing and to his community, right up until his very last moments, are a testament to his dedication to the community and to service as displayed throughout the whole of his career.”
On Friday afternoon, officers found the vehicle the pair was driving, believed to be a copper-coloured 2006 Infiniti FX, in the northeast community of Taradale, thanks to a tip from a member of the public. It was brought in for forensic testing.
Anyone with information that may help in the investigation are asked to contact police at 403-266-1234, 403-428-8877 or to contact Crime Stoppers.