An interesection in downtown Edmonton was blocked off with police tape after a shooting involving Edmonton police and a stabbing suspect Saturday night.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating a shooting involving members of the Edmonton Police Service, which the force said happened during an encounter with a suspect who allegedly stabbed two people on a busy downtown street.
The incident happened at approximately 9:20 p.m., as thousands of people were gathered nearby — in one case, just across the street — to take in the Edmonton Oilers game, in which they won and advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs.
EPS said officers responded to a weapons complaint near 101 Street and 103A Avenue, after it was reported to police that multiple people had been stabbed.
“Upon arrival, responding officers located an injured man and woman and a suspect brandishing a knife. The suspect would not comply with police direction and an officer subsequently discharged their firearm and struck the suspect,” a news release issued around 3 a.m. Sunday said.
The suspect was seriously injured and taken to hospital by paramedics, where he remains. A knife was located on scene, police said.
A woman suffered critical injuries as a result of the stabbing and the man’s condition is described as serious, but stable, police said.
“It is not clear whether the suspect and victims were known to one another. The responding officers were not physically injured,” police said.
A section of 101 Street and 104 Avenue was cordoned off by police after weapons complaint.
“Police would like to assure citizens there is no risk to those in the immediate area,” EPS said earlier in the evening.
The Director of Law Enforcement was notified of the incident and has directed ASIRT to investigate.