RCMP Officer Shoots Man During Welfare Check Confrontation in Okotoks
A man is recovering in hospital after being shot by an RCMP officer during a tense confrontation in Okotoks, Alberta, on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred during what police describe as a welfare check response.
Confrontation During Welfare Check
According to RCMP statements released Thursday, officers were responding to a welfare check on Patterson Road just after 2 p.m. when they encountered a man who became confrontational. During the encounter, an officer discharged their service sidearm, striking the individual.
The situation escalated into a standoff that required additional police resources to contain the area. The Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team was deployed to the scene, where negotiators worked to resolve the situation peacefully.
Negotiation and Surrender
"Emergency Response Team negotiator efforts resulted in the suspect's surrender," RCMP confirmed in their official press release. "At this time, it was discovered that the suspect was injured."
The injured man was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Police have confirmed that while the individual sustained injuries from the shooting, they are not considered life-threatening and recovery is expected.
Independent Investigation Launched
Because the police action resulted in injury to an individual, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has assumed investigation of the incident. ASIRT is an independent civilian oversight agency that investigates serious incidents involving Alberta police officers.
"RCMP training, policy, police response, and the member's duty status will be subject to review," stated RCMP officials. "The RCMP is, of course, fully cooperating with ASIRT."
RCMP made no mention of potential charges resulting from the incident, noting that the investigation remains ongoing. The independent review will examine all aspects of the confrontation and shooting to determine whether proper procedures were followed.
This incident marks another case where police use of force during routine calls has come under scrutiny in Alberta. Welfare checks, which are intended to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals, can sometimes escalate unexpectedly, presenting complex challenges for responding officers.
The community of Okotoks, located approximately 18 kilometers south of Calgary, now awaits the findings of the ASIRT investigation as questions remain about the circumstances that led to the shooting during what began as a welfare check response.
