Officer-involved shooting in downtown Calgary nets charges
CBC News | Posted: November 7, 2015 1:05 AM | Last Updated: November 7, 2015
Hit and run led to police firing at SUV that rammed police van
Calgary police have charged a 20-year-old man after a hit and run led to an officer-involved shooting downtown near the Drop-In Centre earlier this week.
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Police had been called to a hit and run between a cyclist and a black SUV, which was believed to have been stolen, on Tuesday around 4:30 p.m. MT.
"When police arrived, they received information that the suspect vehicle intentionally struck the cyclist and then left the scene," said police in a release.
"While emergency service personnel attended to the seriously injured cyclist, the subject vehicle reappeared on Dermot Baldwin Way and drove directly at the officers."
Police say one officer had to dive out out of the way to avoid being hit before the SUV crashed into a nearby police van, which was significantly damaged.
2 taken to hospital
"The situation escalated quickly, resulting in an on scene member discharging his firearm," said police. "The vehicle continued on, coming to rest a short while later on Riverfront Avenue S.E."
A man was taken to hospital as result of the shooting, but has since been released, while the cyclist was also treated for serious injuries.
The 20-year-old arrested by police is facing charges of attempted murder, assault with a weapon and possession of stolen property.
Police are investigating whether a "series of violent incidents," including dangerous driving and attempted car thefts throughout the city on Tuesday, are connected to the incident.
A woman taken into custody in the incident has been released, and a third potential suspect remains at large.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the shooting.
ASIRT is called in to investigate incidents or complaints involving serious injury or death of any person, and matters of a serious or sensitive nature, that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer.