RCMP use police vehicle to knock down and arrest armed man south of Edmonton

WETASKIWIN (CP) – RCMP arrested a man walking along a highway near Wetaskiwin by twice striking him with a police vehicle Friday morning.

The incident took place on Highway 2A and was caught on video.

RCMP say witnesses spotted a man walking along the highway with a gun.

RCMP use their vehicle to push the man to the ground.

When the man gets up, he’s struck a second time from behind.

Officers then swarm the fallen man. They say that’s when they grabbed the weapon and arrested him.

Here’s video of the incident where Wetaskiwin RCMP subdue the armed suspect using their vehicle. #yeg #yyc (credit: FB/ Rebel Tyrink Tatwos) pic.twitter.com/JqX4ZFe2ux

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) September 11, 2021

Investigators say the suspect did not respond or stop when officers demanded.

RCMP say the 35-year-old man taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

No police were injured during the arrest.

During the confrontation traffic on the highway was diverted and cars could be seen turning around away from the suspect.

As to why he was struck twice by a RCMP vehicle, RCMP officials say it was necessary to keep the public and officers safe in a dangerous situation.

“Due to the angle of approach to the subject, conventional non-lethal tools such as pepper spray, batons or conductive energy weapons would not have been useful,” said Chief Supt. Darcy Fleury at a news conference.

“As the suspect was not following police verbal commands to drop the firearm, for public and police safety, a police vehicle was used to disarm the male.”

Investigators told CityNews the man had minor injuries.

RCMP say this is an internal matter and that Alberta’s police watchdog will not be called in to investigate.