CARSTAIRS — Two investigations have been launched after an officer-involved shooting occurred on Highway 2 east of Carstairs on Friday night, June 21.
Officers from Olds, Didsbury and Sundre RCMP detachments were involved in the incident.
No one was hurt and a suspect pursued by police out of Calgary was arrested and taken into custody.
On Saturday morning, traffic in the area was diverted as police undertook an investigation. Big volumes of traffic could be seen coming up Highway 2A until about 11:10 a.m. Just after noon on Saturday, RCMP issued an updated release saying investigators had cleared the scene on the highway and "normal traffic flow has resumed in all directions."
It all started Friday night.
At about 11:40 p.m., RCMP were notified that a suspect that had fled from Calgary police was on his way up Highway 2 and being followed discreetly by a police helicopter.
A coordinated response was set up involving RCMP from Olds, Didsbury, and Sundre detachments, as well as Calgary police.
They stopped the suspect via a tire deflation device on Highway 2 near Highway 581.
“A traffic stop was conducted and there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police, resulting in no injuries to police or the suspect,” said an RCMP news release.
“RCMP made verbal contact with the suspect and successfully de-escalated the incident. The suspect surrendered to police.
“There were no injuries suffered to members of the public, officers or the suspect during this incident.”
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team and RCMP themselves have both launched investigations into the incident.
“The Alberta RCMP are thankful for the eventual outcome of this incident, demonstrating effective police intervention in high-risk situations for which officers are highly trained,” said the release. “This was also an excellent example of cooperation between multiple units of two police services.
"Despite this, events like this are difficult for the communities in which they occur, as well as the general public and officers involved," added the release.
“Police recognize the trust placed in them to use force that is necessary, proportional and reasonable and in so doing remain fully accountable.”
