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Investigation underway after police incident near Ponoka Courthouse

Feb 10, 2022 | 12:02 PM

RCMP say a 39-year-old man is in hospital recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered during a police-involved incident Thursday morning outside the Ponoka Courthouse and RCMP detachment.

Ponoka RCMP responded just about 9:30 to a report of an armed individual approaching the police detachment, which is nearby the courthouse.

A confrontation occurred between the suspect and an officer, police say, which is when the officer discharged their service weapon.

Officers on scene provided first aid to the male until EMS could arrive. He was airlifted to hospital by STARS Air Ambulance, suffering from critical injuries. STARS was dispatched just after 10 a.m.

Ponoka RCMP contained the area, and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is attending the scene to investigate what took place.

RCMP adds that independent of ASIRT’s investigation, the RCMP’s internal review process has been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during the incident.

“RCMP training, policy, police response, and the duty status of the members involved will be subject to review,” a release says. “The RCMP is, of course, fully cooperating with ASIRT and will not be commenting further on this incident.”