Man killed by RCMP drew weapons, Alberta police watchdog says
ASIRT says man shot Dec. 23 near Tofield may have also made bomb threat
Alberta's police watchdog says a man fatally shot by RCMP before Christmas at a rural home southeast of Edmonton was unco-operative and "made comments" that prompted police to call in its bomb squad.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team provided an update Wednesday on its ongoing investigation into the Dec. 23 incident.
ASIRT had been directed to investigate after a man wanted on outstanding warrants was fatally injured while RCMP officers tried to arrest him at a home outside the town of Tofield.
In Wednesday's news release, ASIRT said RCMP officers who were called to the home spoke with the man.
He was unco-operative and drew a weapon, which caused officers to retreat, ASIRT said.
"The male made comments that prompted the RCMP emergency response team, crisis negotiation team and explosive disposal unit to attend the property," ASIRT said.
A police negotiator could not convince the man to leave the home peacefully.
Two officers shot the man after he exited the home with weapons.
Medical assistance was provided but he died at the scene.
ASIRT said it is working to identify people who may have witnessed the incident and is asking anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them.
The agency's mandate is to 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.