On Friday evening (Dec. 6), Cochrane RCMP and the Calgary Police Service received information from two different individuals which led to significant concern about the behaviour and recent messages sent by a 28-year-old man.
Police were advised that the man, who was currently prohibited from being in possession of firearms, had several firearms in his possession at the Cochrane residence.
Following the information received, police made the decision to proceed to the residence to arrest the man for breach of his release conditions and remove the firearms from the home.
Shortly after 7 p.m. officers arrived at the home at 12 West Gissing Road in northwest Cochrane. The man, who was armed with a firearm and the sole occupant of the home, refused to surrender.
After containing the residence, RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) responded to the location. A warrant was applied by the RCMP to enter the home and arrest the man.
Over the next few hours telephone contact was made with the man and negotiation was taking place for the man to surrender which ultimately failed. An RCMP armoured vehicle pulled up to the rear of the residence near the attached garage. Shortly after, around five to six shots were believed to have been fired from the inside of the garage in what would have been toward the direction of the armoured vehicle.
After attempting various forms of intervention which led well into early morning hours, ERT officers deployed a chemical agent into the residence. Moments after at approximately 1:40 a.m., the man exited the home and a confrontation would ensue between officers and the man which led to one officer discharging his firearm.
The man was struck and fell to the ground. Emergency medical aid was provided on scene and the man was then transported by ambulance to hospital but died of his injuries.
A loaded .22 calibre semi-automatic rifle was recovered from the snow where the man fell.
Initial examination of the scene discovered what looked like bullet holes in the overhead vehicle door of the attached garage and seven spent shell casings were recovered from inside the garage.
Six bullet holes were identified on the garage of a nearby residence. After further searching the man's residence two other guns were found and additional ammunition.
ASIRT's investigation on what led to the officer-involved shooting is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time to to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
