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Investigation continues into central Alberta shooting

Imitation firearm recovered from the scene in Ponoka
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An immitation firearm was recovered from the scene of an officer involved shooting that happened in Ponoka on Feb. 10. (Photo contributed)

An imitation firearm was recovered from the scene of where an RCMP officer discharged his firearm during an encounter with a 39-year-old man in Ponoka on Feb. 10.

The incident is under investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).

Police said RCMP received reports of an agitated male at about 9:35 a.m. who was waving a handgun in the air approaching the Ponoka RCMP detachment.

The man was then seen near the provincial courthouse and video footage subsequently viewed by investigators showed that the male was holding an object in his hand.

Police said officers arrived at the provincial courthouse where a confrontation between the man and officers resulted in one officer discharging his firearm and striking the male at 9:42 a.m..

Officers on scene provided first aid to the man until emergency medical services attended and he was airlifted to hospital where he remains with critical injuries.

Investigators found an imitation firearm at the scene.

ASIRT’s investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the use of force. No additional information will be released.

As part of its ongoing investigation, ASIRT is continuing efforts to identify people who may have witnessed aspects of the confrontation between the man and police. Anyone who may have been in the area and may have witnessed these events and/or may have video is asked to contact investigators at 403-592-4306.

ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.



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