Calgary Edworthy Park Shooting Leaves Officer Injured, Suspect Dead After Police Chase

A violent incident that began with a routine traffic stop in southwest Calgary ended with a suspect found dead in the river after police said he exchanged gunfire with officers and posed a threat to civilians in the area.

The incident unfolded Monday morning near Spruce Cliff and Edworthy Park, prompting a major emergency response, road closures and a dangerous person alert as police searched for the armed suspect.

According to Calgary police, officers stopped a vehicle shortly before noon when one of the occupants suddenly opened fire. One police officer was struck by gunfire during the confrontation.

The suspect then fled from the vehicle on foot toward Edworthy Park. Police deployed a HAWCS helicopter to track his movements as officers on the ground attempted to contain the situation.

Authorities said the suspect continued firing during the pursuit, allegedly shooting toward police officers and nearby members of the public. The rapidly developing situation prompted police to issue a dangerous person alert and urge residents and visitors to stay indoors and avoid the park.

Police later said the suspect allegedly carjacked another person and drove through the park before the vehicle became stuck. Officers continued the pursuit on the ground and eventually located the suspect deceased in the river.

Police said the circumstances surrounding the man’s death remain under investigation.

The officer who was shot was transported for medical treatment and was reported to be in stable condition. Police later confirmed that the officer had been struck twice.

During an afternoon news conference, Insp. Darren Smith said officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect at various points during the incident. He said the suspect discharged rounds at police and officers returned fire.

Smith said the suspect sustained what police described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. However, investigators have not determined whether any police officer also struck the suspect.

Because of the death following an interaction involving police, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has been called in to independently investigate the circumstances.

The incident created fear among residents and people who were visiting Edworthy Park on what began as an ordinary summer day.

Karen Freeze-Hrncirik was walking her dog in the park when she noticed a police helicopter overhead. She soon encountered officers on the ground who instructed her to run toward safety and get into a vehicle.

Freeze-Hrncirik did not have a vehicle with her and said she tried to find cover behind parked cars and trees. She eventually let her dog run while attempting to move away from the danger.

She said she could hear gunfire during the incident and described the experience as frightening and difficult to comprehend.

Although shaken by what happened, Freeze-Hrncirik said she was relieved that she, her dog and others around her were safe.

Another nearby resident, Amy McLaren, said the large police response initially caused concern. She was inside her home with her son when she heard numerous emergency vehicles arriving in the area.

An officer instructed her to remain indoors, and she watched developments from inside her home.

McLaren said the heavy police presence made her feel that authorities were maintaining control of the situation despite the seriousness of the incident.

Calgary Fire Department crews were also called to assist. Public safety officials said firefighters were involved in recovering the body from the river and searching the water and surrounding area for potentially relevant evidence or other items.

The park and several surrounding areas remained restricted while investigators worked to establish the full sequence of events.

Police initially warned members of the public to avoid Edworthy Park and surrounding areas. The dangerous person alert was later cancelled, but authorities continued to ask the public to stay away while the investigation was underway.

Police also appealed to witnesses who may have seen the suspect, the vehicle, the shooting or events inside the park to contact investigators.

The incident has raised renewed concerns about the dangers police officers and civilians can face when an apparently routine traffic stop suddenly escalates into a violent confrontation.

Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan said the incident could have resulted in significantly more serious consequences.

She expressed gratitude that the injured officer was expected to recover and emphasized the personal impact that an officer being injured in the line of duty has on colleagues and the wider policing community.

The chief also highlighted that police officers are individuals who face real risks while responding to dangerous situations.

The ASIRT investigation will now examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the actions of the suspect and police officers, the exchange of gunfire and the circumstances that resulted in the suspect’s death.

Investigators will also work to establish a precise timeline from the initial traffic stop through the pursuit, reported carjacking, exchange of gunfire and discovery of the suspect in the river.

Authorities have not released all details about the suspect or explained what initially led officers to conduct the traffic stop. Additional information is expected as the investigation progresses.

For residents around Spruce Cliff and Edworthy Park, the incident brought an extraordinary level of police activity to a familiar recreational area. What began as a traffic stop quickly developed into an active shooting investigation involving an injured officer, fleeing suspect, reported gunfire, a carjacking and a major search operation.

The injured officer’s stable condition provided some relief amid the seriousness of the incident, while investigators continued working to determine exactly what happened and why the confrontation escalated so rapidly.

Police continue to encourage anyone with information or potential video footage from the area to come forward as the independent investigation proceeds.

Courtesy: ctvnews