Calgary police investigated after officer shoots suspect in CTrain station standoff
ASIRT says passenger was suspected of having a weapon but it was a replica
A police shooting last week at a Calgary CTrain station is being investigated by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) after a man was sent to hospital with serious injuries.
The incident occurred July 7 after Calgary police responded to a call that a man had a handgun on a LRT train, according to a release ASIRT issued Tuesday.
Police told ASIRT that Calgary Transit was asked to hold the train at the Sirocco Station on 17th Avenue, west of Sarcee Trail S.W.
After the train arrived at the station, riders were removed by police.
The man, however, remained on the train asleep with a gun resting on his lap, reported witnesses to ASIRT.
Once riders were removed from the train, police spent several hours trying to wake the man with a loudspeaker.
ASIRT said that at 4:26 p.m., the man left the train on his own, carrying what appeared to be a gun in his left hand, and then later placing it in his front waistband.
As he continued down the platform, a confrontation occurred with police. ASIRT says this is when one member discharged two shots, striking the man.
According to the release, the man received care on scene and was taken to Foothills hospital, where he remains in serious condition.
Police then recovered the handgun from the scene and determined it to be a replica, says the release.
ASIRT investigators are asking anyone who witnessed or has video of the man on the train to please call 403-592-4306.
The police watchdog noted he first boarded the westbound train at the City Hall Station downtown at 12:16 p.m. that day.
ASIRT investigates when police in the province are involved in a situation that leads to death or serious injury. It also investigates accusations of police corruption.