A man shot by RCMP last Thursday in Rocky Mountain House intentionally lured police to a confrontation in which he rushed the officer, allege investigators.
Police got a 911 call shortly after 6 p.m. from a man who said he was walking on Highway 11A, and “in addition to other information, suggesting that he was on his way to a residence in Rocky Mountain House to commit a serious violent offence,” says the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, which was called to investigate the incident.
“The man’s call suggested that he may have harmed, and may continue to cause harm, to a specific person. The information provided in the call led to RCMP members being dispatched in response.”
An RCMP officer spotted the man on Highway 11A about one kilometre west of the town at 6:15 p.m. The officer pulled over and asked the man if he had made the 911 call.
“The police in-car video system captured a portion of the incident, during which the man can be seen advancing quickly in the direction of the officer,” says ASIRT in a Tuesday news release.
“At that point, the situation escalated and a confrontation occurred off-camera that resulted in the officer discharging rounds from his service pistol, striking the man.”
The 50-year-old was treated at the scene for gunshot wounds before being taken to Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. He was later airlifted to Calgary, where he remains in hospital. The officer was not injured.
ASIRT says their investigation determined that “the man’s initial call contained false information and that the call had been intentionally made to ensure that police would respond so that an encounter between police and the man would occur.”
The supposed intended victim of the man’s threats was located unharmed.
A full statement and additional information was given to ASIRT by the shooting victim. That information will remain confidential until the investigation is complete.
Investigators are trying to track down motorists in two vehicles that were seen on the highway around the time of the incident.
Anyone who was driving on Highway 11A around 6:15 p.m. last Thursday, and who may have witnessed what happened, or has cellphone or dash cam video, is asked to call ASIRT at 780-644-1483.
ASIRT is called to investigate incidents involving Alberta police that result in serious injury or death. It also investigates serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
The incident is not connected to the shooting death of a single mother and the wounding of her sister in Rocky Mountain House around 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Marshall Lawrence Stone, of Rocky Mountain House, has been charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the incident. He is due in provincial court on Wednesday.
pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com
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