On March 9, 2022, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Bonnyville RCMP responded to a complaint of a shooting that resulted in a death on Kehewin Cree Nation.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., Bonnyville RCMP, along with the Cold Lake RCMP Police Dog Service, were outside a residence on Kehewin Cree Nation looking for a 22-year-old male suspect of the investigation into the shooting that resulted in a death. The suspect exited the residence and a confrontation occurred during which officers discharged their service weapons.
First aid was administered by RCMP officers on scene. Emergency Medical Services attended to provide assistance and the suspect was transported by STARS Air Ambulance to an Edmonton area hospital where he remains.
No officers sustained injuries during the course of this incident.
Bonnyville RCMP have contained the area, and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is attending the scene to initiate an investigation into the circumstances of the officer involved shooting. The RCMP retains carriage of the investigation into the shooting that resulted in a death on Kehewin Cree Nation.
The Alberta RCMP believes in processes that seek the facts and it's important that processes taken to assess the actions of all those involved, including the police, are fair, transparent, and defendable. This is why, as soon as we became aware of this incident, we immediately notified the Director of Law Enforcement and initiated our internal review process. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the actions of the police during this investigation.
Independent of ASIRT's investigation, the Alberta RCMP's internal review process has been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident. RCMP training, policy, police response, and the duty status of the members involved will be subject to review. The Alberta RCMP is, of course, fully cooperating with ASIRT and will not be commenting further on this incident. All media inquiries about this incident should now be directed to ASIRT at 780-641-9099.
Additional details regarding the investigation into the shooting that resulted in a death on Kehewin Cree Nation will be released at a later time by the Alberta RCMP.