ASIRT: No wrongdoing by Red Deer officer in April 2023 Anders shooting

The father notified RCMP of the order, as they had not yet shown up. Eventually, several officers were dispatched to the property.

As described by ASIRT:

“The officers entered the property and ascertained that [the son] was in the basement. The officers entered the basement, with [subject officer] leading the way. They encountered [the son] laying on his right side, on a mattress with his back towards the officers, on the basement floor.

“The officers repeatedly attempted to engage with [the son] and informed him that he was being apprehended under the MHA. [The son] refused to comply or cooperate with being taken into custody. [The subject officer] approached [the son] to place handcuffs on him and take him into custody. As he approached him, he saw [the son] produce a knife from under his body and began to sit up.”

The officer backed away and drew his Taser, pointing it at the man and telling him to drop the knife.

The man refused to comply, and fearing for his safety, the officer discharged the Taser. Though it contacted the man, he did not incapacitate him.

With the same officer now having drawn his firearm, the man continued to hold his knife, so another officer discharged their Taser, but it still did not have the desired effect.

On his knees and still holding the knife, ASIRT notes the man lunged towards the officer, which is when the officer discharged his service pistol. Bullets struck the man “several” times.

First aid was administered, but the man died on scene.

In a witness interview, the father informed authorities his son had a negative history with law enforcement, primarily due to poor mental health, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia as a teenager.

It was also shared that the son had a dependency on narcotics, primarily fentanyl, including oral ingestion.

The father, who witnessed the entire ordeal, expressed anger at how responding officers acted, calling it an, “assassination,” according to ASIRT.

The father stated he did not hear any warnings from police towards his son.

The knife possessed by a man who was shot and killed by Red Deer RCMP on April 13, 2023. (ASIRT)

ASIRT notes the final autopsy and toxicology report have not yet been received, though significant injuries were caused to the man’s aortic valve, heart, left lung, liver and stomach.

ASIRT Executive Director Michael Ewenson writes that the officer was lawfully placed and acting in the execution of their duties.

Ewenson says under the Criminal Code, officers are permitted to use as much force as is necessary for the execution of their duties. The officer must believe on reasonable grounds that the force is necessary for the self-preservation of themself or anyone under said officer’s protection.

“After a thorough, independent, and objective investigation into the conduct of the [subject officer], it is my opinion that he was lawfully placed, and acting properly in the execution of his duties,” Ewenson states.

“There is no evidence to support any belief that any officer engaged in any unlawful or unreasonable conduct that would give rise to an offence. While the death of [the son] is unfortunate, the force used by [the subject officer] was proportionate, necessary and reasonable in all the circumstances.”

The full report can be read here.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

ASIRT: No wrongdoing by Red Deer officer in April 2023 Anders shooting

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