Calgary police officer won’t be charged after shooting, killing man in 2018

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A Calgary police officer will not face any charges after shooting and killing a man almost three years ago in self-defence.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) released a comprehensive report on the incident which happened Apr. 9, 2018 in the northeast.

The officer was working undercover and in an unmarked car when around midnight a man unrelated to the investigation approached the vehicle.

He opened the driver’s side door and brandished a knife demanding that the officer hand over money.

Investigation concluded: Use of force during fatal @CalgaryPolice officer-involved shooting was lawful. News release posted: https://t.co/hnZT7GyM5c pic.twitter.com/97o2fyRGvH

— ASIRT (@ASIRT_AB) April 7, 2021

The officer slowly got out of the vehicle and pushed the man away before pulling out his handgun and striking the man in the face with it.

The man though continued to approach and the officer fired a single bullet striking him in the chest and killing him.

ASIRT said the officer’s actions were justified as he was protecting himself during an attempted robbery and this case was difficult to investigate as no other officers or bystanders witnessed the event and it was not caused by regular police activity.

Very shortly after the event, ASIRT investigators spoke with the man’s common-law partner and two other people regarding his actions and possible mindset leading to that night.

The man’s partner said he had been struggling with mental health and drug addiction issues and had a history of substance abuse which reportedly escalated in the days prior to his confrontation with the police officer.

ASIRT investigators were told that earlier that day, the man had talked about death and taking his own life, but one witness said he did not believe the man was serious.

The investigation found the officer attempted to end the confrontation before firing his pistol in self-defence. ASIRT said the man’s continued possession of a knife, and his actions with that weapon, presented a risk of death or grievous bodily harm.

The report ends by stating, “These events have a devastating impact for all involved, in many different ways. Simply because an event has been found lawful does not make the situation any less tragic.”