The incident was reported to have stemmed from an earlier aggravated assault at Onion Lake First Nation. (file photo/battlefordsNOW staff)  

By battlefordsNOW Staff

ASIRT investigation

32-year-old man fatally shot by Alberta RCMP following highway pursuit, confrontation

Sep 3, 2020 | 1:39 PM

A 32-year-old man was fatally shot by Alberta RCMP following a highway pursuit and confrontation Aug. 30. The incident was reported to have stemmed from a prior assault at Onion Lake First Nation.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the circumstances of the officer- involved shooting that took place on Highway 16 near Entwistle, Alta., west of Edmonton.

Alberta RCMP reported on Aug. 31 they received a “be on the lookout” alert at 4:15 p.m on Aug. 30 for a suspect wanted for an aggravated assault at Onion Lake First Nation.

According to ASIRT’s release, the Alberta RCMP received information regarding a domestic aggravated assault earlier that day in Saskatchewan. Police also received a description of the vehicle and information regarding the possible presence of a firearm.

The Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team located the suspect’s vehicle at about 8:30 p.m heading westbound on Highway 16.

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RCMP attempted to stop the driver. However, when the vehicle failed to stop, officers pursued it.

Police deployed a tire deflation device, but according to ASIRT, but were not able to stop the vehicle.

The RCMP managed to contact the driver by phone, and attempted to de-escalate the situation.

“The driver refused to surrender and made several threats regarding the use of a firearm,” ASIRT stated.

Police ultimately forced the vehicle to stop just east of Entwistle by colliding with it in their vehicle.

At that point, a confrontation occurred between the 32-year-old driver and RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) officers.

“During the confrontation, three members of ERT discharged their service firearms, striking the man,” ASIRT said.

An RCMP tactical medic provided first aid to the man, who was pronounced dead when Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived. ASIRT report a loaded .22-calibre rifle was recovered from the scene, and was seized by ASIRT investigators.

This .22-calibre rifle was recovered from the incident scene. (Supplied photo/Alberta Serious Incident Response Team)

Anyone who was in the area of Highway 16 and Range Road 73 near Entwistle on Aug. 30 and witnessed the incident, or has any information or video related to this matter, is asked to contact ASIRT at 780-644-1483.

ASIRT is responsible for investigating incidents involving Alberta police officers that result in serious injury or death to any person, or serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow