Advertisement

ASIRT says imitation firearm recovered from Edmonton fatal police shooting scene

Click to play video: 'ASIRT says imitation firearm recovered from Edmonton fatal police shooting scene'
ASIRT says imitation firearm recovered from Edmonton fatal police shooting scene
New information suggests the bullet that killed a bystander inside his apartment Wednesday night likely came from a police weapon. Alberta's police watchdog has additional information on the shooting and the two victims. Morgan Black reports – Feb 25, 2022

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team says an imitation firearm was recovered at the scene of an officer-involved shooting in downtown Edmonton Wednesday evening that left an innocent man and a robbery suspect dead.

The incident started just before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, when police responded to an armed robbery at a liquor store in the area of 113 Street and 104 Avenue.

ASIRT said the person who called 911 said a man with a firearm robbed the store and left on foot.

ASIRT said police were able to locate the 36-year-old suspect in the area of 107 Avenue and 105 Street at 7:01 p.m. He headed north on 105 Street. At about 7:03 p.m., ASIRT said a confrontation occurred between the man and police and officers shot their firearms, hitting the 36-year-old.

Story continues below advertisement
Click to play video: 'Innocent man, suspect both killed during shooting involving police in downtown Edmonton'
Innocent man, suspect both killed during shooting involving police in downtown Edmonton

Police provided first aid until EMS arrived, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, ASIRT said in a news release Friday.

An imitation firearm was located nearby.

“The fact that it’s an imitation firearm just makes it all the more tragic, because obviously the suspect wasn’t capable of harming the police,” said Tom Engel, chair of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association policing committee.

“But if it looked real and police thought it was a real firearm, or weren’t about to guess about whether it was, then of course they’re entitled to treat it as if it was a real firearm.”

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

During the confrontation, a second man — who was inside a nearby apartment suite and not involved in the incident — was struck. This man was rushed to hospital by paramedics, where he died of his injuries.

Story continues below advertisement

ASIRT said the man was 59 years old. His identity has not been released, but the property management company of the Metro on 105 apartment building said Thursday he was one of the building’s resident managers.

Click to play video: 'Edmonton police chief speaks about officer-involved shooting that left innocent man and suspect dead'
Edmonton police chief speaks about officer-involved shooting that left innocent man and suspect dead

Doug King, a professor in Justice Studies at Mount Royal University, said Thursday it will be important for ASIRT to put resources on this investigation to ensure it is completed in a timely fashion.

“It won’t be an easy task. They are understaffed and underfunded and they have been for five years,” King said.

“That’s not ASIRT’s fault. That is the government of Alberta’s fault, that is the minister of justice’s fault.”

Alex Puddifant, a spokesperson for the justice minister, said the 2022 provincial budget tabled on Thursday increased ASIRT’s budget from $3.9 million to $5.3 million.

Story continues below advertisement

“This additional funding means ASIRT can hire more investigators and build its capacity to manage complex investigations,” Puddifant said in a statement Friday.

“While the number of files referred to ASIRT for investigation has not increased, it is the complexity of these cases that has significantly increased and challenged ASIRT’s capacity.”

Puddifant said thoroughly investigating serious incidents and sensitive allegations involving police and providing timely answers to citizens is essential for police accountability and upholding the public’s confidence.

“This budget increase will improve ASIRT’s ability to perform these vital functions.”

ASIRT’s executive director Susan Hughson resigned in November. Earlier in 2021, Hughson told an Edmonton Police Commission meeting that ASIRT faced significant delays in complicated cases due to a lack of resources.

“The Edmonton situation is in desperate need of transparency and quick resolution, and ASIRT will need to put resources on it,” King said of Wednesday’s shooting.

Engel also believes ASIRT is under-resourced, but added he would like to have seen more details about what happened on Wednesday night.

“It’s completely inadequate detail and the public is entitled to detailed information of what is known by the police,” he said.

Story continues below advertisement

“I don’t understand why ASIRT hasn’t given the public a lot more.”

As part of its investigation, ASIRT is looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the confrontation between the 36-year-old man and police. Anyone with pictures, video or information is asked to contact ASIRT at 780-644-1483.

Edmonton’s police chief said Thursday the EPS is fully cooperating with the ASIRT investigation and as it unfolds over the next few weeks, the members involved in the shooting will not be on active duty.

ASIRT is called upon to investigate serious and sensitive matters involving police in Alberta.

Sponsored content

AdChoices