Alberta police watchdog to investigate after Edmonton officer shoots suspect on Whyte Avenue

Alberta’s police watchdog is investigating after a man police said was suspected of committing a weapons offence was shot on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton.

In a news release, the Edmonton Police Service said the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team was directed to investigate after police told Alberta’s director of law enforcement about the shooting.

According to police, officers were called to the area of Whyte Avenue and 93rd Street at about midnight.

“It was reported to police that a male suspect had pointed a gun at a civilian and was waving it in the air,” the EPS said. “When police arrived, they observed the suspect pointing what appeared to be a gun at a transit bus.

“A confrontation then took place, and an officer discharged their firearm, striking the man.”

Police said the man was given first aid and taken into custody. Paramedics treated him and took him to hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

The EPS said investigators found a replica handgun at the scene.

Throughout the morning, a section of Whyte Avenue between 95A Street and just before 91st Street was taped off by police.

Several items could be seen scattered on the ground and a large white tarp was also visible close to 93rd Street.

A Global News crew at the scene spoke to a woman who said she was a few blocks away early Wednesday, in the area of 99th Street. She said she saw speeding vehicles.

“(A vehicle) was speeding so fast,” Nicole St. Germaine said. “Then all of a sudden, not even two seconds later, one cop car, two cop cars, three cop cars, four cop cars, … and all of a sudden, fire truck, fire truck, fire truck. And then the little SUV for the ambulance went by.”

Global News has reached out to ASIRT for more information.

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