Two suspects have been arrested and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating following an officer involved shooting in Egremont early on Canada Day.
Redwater RCMP were dispatched to a complaint of a break and enter in progress on Range Road 220 and Township Road 584 in Thorhild County at about 3:01 a.m. on July 1.
According to police, a vehicle had rammed the gates of the property. Officers from Redwater and Fort Saskatchewan responded and found the suspect vehicle. A Fort Saskatchewan officer discharged their firearm as the suspect vehicle fled the scene.
The Alberta RCMP Real Time Operations Centre (RTOC) then coordinated the police response. Officers from the Sherwood Park, Morinville, Smoky Lake and Westlock detachments, Alberta RCMP Police Dog Service (PDS) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) were all brought in to assist.
A tire deflation device was used to stop the suspects in a second vehicle. They were arrested and remain in custody.
Police say they found a firearm inside the second suspect vehicle.
No officers were injured in the incident.
RCMP say events like this can be traumatic for the public and the officers involved.
“Police recognize the trust placed in them to use force that is necessary, proportional and reasonable,” said the RCMP in a media release. “Which is why this incident is an excellent example of coordinated, rapid police response to protect the community and maintain that trust.”
In compliance with legislative requirements, the Director of Law Enforcement was notified and directed the RCMP to investigate the circumstances of this incident with ASIRT oversight. The RCMP’s internal review processes have also been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident, including police training, policy, and response.
