Red Deer, Alta. - On July 4, 2023, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team (CRT) were conducting an investigation into a stolen pick-up truck. CRT were able to stop the vehicle utilizing a Tire Deflation Device, in the driveway of a rural residence on C and E Trail, where the suspect exited the vehicle and an altercation ensued. The suspect then jumped into a police car and in an attempt to stop the suspect, an officer deployed a Conductive Energy Weapon (CEW or Taser), but the CEW was not effective. The suspect put the vehicle into reverse, almost hitting officers. An officer discharged their service pistol but did not hit the suspect.
The suspect then fled the scene in the police vehicle. Officers pursued the suspect into Innisfail and then onto Highway 2 northbound, where another Tire Deflation Device was used, resulting in the suspect crashing the vehicle. He was taken into custody.
No officers were injured during this incident. The suspect was taken to a local hospital for assessment and has since been released. He remains in police custody awaiting a Judicial Interim Release hearing on pending charges.
The Alberta 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 involving potential lethal force, we immediately initiated our internal review process and notified the Director of Law Enforcement. The Director of Law Enforcement assigned the investigation to the RCMP.
An update will be provided when available.
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