By rdnewsNOW staff

Seeking Witnesses

ASIRT seeking witnesses in RCMP involved shooting near Rocky Mountain House

Jul 30, 2019 | 1:02 PM

Members of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) are hoping anyone who may have witnessed or have dash cam video of an altercation between RCMP and a member of the public near Rocky Mountain House last week to come forward.

On July 25, ASIRT was directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident where a 50-year-old man was shot during an encounter with a member of the Rocky Mountain House RCMP.

On the same day at approximately 6:09 p.m., RCMP received a 911 call from a man advising police that he was walking at a particular location on Highway 11A and, in addition to other information, suggesting that he was on his way to a residence in Rocky Mountain House to commit a serious violent offence.

ASIRT officials say the man’s call suggested that he may have harmed, and may continue to cause harm, to a specific person, adding the information provided led to RCMP being dispatched in response.

At 6:15 p.m., an RCMP member responding to the call located the man walking on Highway 11A, approximately one kilometre west of Rocky Mountain House.

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The officer stopped his vehicle, exited and asked the man if he had called police.

Officials say the police in-car video system captured a portion of the incident, during which the man can be seen advancing quickly in the direction of the officer.

At that point, the situation escalated and a confrontation occurred off-camera that resulted in the officer discharging rounds from his service pistol, striking the man. The man sustained injuries.

Emergency medical assistance was provided on scene, and the man was subsequently transported to hospital in Red Deer. He was later airlifted to Calgary, where he remains in hospital. The officer was not injured.

According to ASIRT officials, it was later determined that the man’s initial call contained false information and that the call had been intentionally made to ensure police would respond so that an encounter between police and the man would occur.

The potential victim mentioned in the man’s call has been located and was determined to be unharmed.

The 50-year-old man who was shot is said to have provided ASIRT investigators with a full statement and additional information, which will remain confidential until all witnesses have been spoken with and the investigation is concluded.

ASIRT says two vehicles were observed on video being operated on Highway 11A at the approximate time of the confrontation.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have been travelling on Highway 11A at approximately 6:15 p.m. on July 25 and who may have witnessed these events and/or may have available dash cam or cellphone video to contact ASIRT at 780-644-1483.

Officials add however the incident is not related to a homicide in Rocky Mountain House that is currently under investigation by the RCMP

With ASIRT’s investigation underway, officials say no further information will be released at this time.

ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.

(With files from Alberta Serious Incident Response Team)