Mental Health Call Turns Fatal in Southeast Calgary
A man in his 40s died Sunday afternoon after an altercation with Calgary police officers who were responding to a mental health call in the community of Dover. The incident has prompted an investigation by Alberta's police watchdog agency.
Emergency medical services summoned police to a residence in the 3900 block of 30th Avenue S.E. shortly after 4:30 p.m. on November 23, 2025. According to Calgary Police Service, officers were called to assist with "safety concerns related to a mental health call."
Altercation Leads to Medical Distress
Police reported that the man was displaying erratic behavior when officers arrived at the scene. While attempting to take him into custody, the situation escalated when the man became combative and assaulted one of the officers, according to the police statement released late Sunday night.
Officers deployed Tasers during the struggle, but the man continued to resist before going into medical distress. He was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Police confirmed that no officers sustained injuries during the incident.
Police Watchdog Takes Over Investigation
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. This follows standard procedure for incidents involving serious injury or death during police interactions.
Calgary police stated they will not be releasing any additional information about the case while ASIRT's investigation is underway. The independent agency will examine whether police actions contributed to the man's death and if proper procedures were followed during the mental health intervention.
The death marks another tragic outcome during a police response to a mental health crisis and raises questions about de-escalation techniques and appropriate handling of individuals experiencing psychological distress.
