On Jan. 11, 2024, at approximately 9 a.m., Wood Buffalo RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) located a vehicle on Confederation Way and the Highway 63 exit, which was suspected of being involved in a recent hit and run collision.
An altercation between the male suspect and a police officer resulted in the officer discharging their service firearm. The male suspect was struck in the lower leg and taken to a local hospital for his non-life-threatening injuries. No members of the public or officers were injured in the incident.
The RCMP believes in processes that seek the facts, and it's important that processes taken to assess the actions of all those involved, including the police, are fair, transparent and defendable. This is why, as soon as we became aware of this incident, we immediately notified the Director of Law Enforcement and initiated our internal review process. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the actions of the police during this investigation.
Independent of ASIRT's investigation, the RCMP's internal review process has been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident. RCMP training, policy, police response and the member's duty status will be subject to review. The RCMP is, of course, fully cooperating with ASIRT. All media inquiries about this incident should now be directed to ASIRT at 780-641-9099.
If you are a member of the public who witnesses this event or have any other media inquiries about this incident, you are asked to contact ASIRT at 780-644-1483.