ASIRT has cleared a Grande Prairie officer of any wrong doing, as a result of an officer-involved shooting that took place in January.
According to police, Grande Prairie RCMP received a call around 2:15 p.m. on Jan. 6 about a single-vehicle collision near Township Road 750 and Range Road 51. The driver was allegedly travelling at high speed and then fled the scene on foot.
When RCMP arrived on scene the suspect was walking across the road. An altercation then ensued between the officer and the suspect, resulting in the officer grappling with the suspect.
During the altercation the suspect revealed a knife and allegedly stabbed the officer through the left shoulder. The officer then discharged his weapon striking the suspect.
The suspect then approached the officer again with the knife, resulting in the officer attempting to the suspect again. The suspect continued to approach the officer, despite the officer making commands for the suspect to put the knife down.
While the officer had their gun in one hand, they used their other hand to use a energy weapon to help. On the fourth attempt of the officer using the energy weapon, the suspect was brought to the ground, where an officer kicked the knife away and arrested the suspect.
During the entire altercation, the officer discharged his weapon five times, according to the shell casings found. The suspect had two gunshot wounds, which is believed to be an entry and a exit wound from a single shot.
Other officers arrived on scene, and took the suspect into custody, and then performed first-aid on the suspect and the officer who was stabbed.
ASIRT says the officer acted reasonably in a life-threatening situation. ASIRT added that the officer was entitled to defend themself, and there was no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed an offence.
