The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) in investigating the actions of a member of the Lethbridge Regional Police Service after the officer shot a teenage suspect during a Friday evening weapons response.
According to ASIRT, police were deployed to the Canada Safeway location in the 500 block of University Drive at approximately 6:30 p.m. following reports that an allegedly impaired man had been seen brandishing a knife and acting irrationally. The suspect was located a short distance away, near the intersection of Red Crow Boulevard and Squamish Court, and officers confronted the 17-year-old who was armed with a large bladed knife.
Helen Worthington heard the confrontation from inside her home. She stepped outside after hearing gunshots and men shouting.
"Next thing we know is pop, pop, pop, pop. There's a gun going off," said Worthington. "Two police cars are there and, the next thing you know, about nine police cars and cops running everywhere."
The teenager fell to the ground after an officer fired his service pistol. The suspect was transported by ambulance to Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH) for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
"Our officers are fine, they're all fine," said LRPS Police Chief Rob Davis. "The fellow that was shot, he underwent surgery for non life threatening injuries and the last i heard he's in stable condition at CRH."
Davis says the actions of the officer are consistent with protocols.
According to neighbourhood residents, a large machete was found near the scene of the shooting. ASIRT has determined the knife in the suspect's possession had been stolen from behind the butcher counter at the Safeway.
ASIRT is seeking the occupants of a newer red SUV who are believed to have watched the confrontation between the teenager and police. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact ASIRT at 403-592-4306.
