Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson is defending the actions of two officers who opened fire on a suspect who struck an officer while allegedly fleeing police in a stolen vehicle.
The 21-year-old suspect, who is known to police, remains in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his hand and face after five shots were fired, according to Hanson.
The incident unravelled during a routine traffic stop in McKenzie Lake SE at roughly 3 a.m. yesterday when the two officers tried to pull over a car they saw driving erratically.
Hanson said as the officers approached the vehicle, the driver accelerated and struck one of them, at which point both officers fired shots at the vehicle.
“(The suspect) chose to take actions that put our officers in jeopardy. Our officers had every right to protect themselves,” Hanson said.
Police found the damaged vehicle minutes later nearby and found the suspect hiding under a canoe.
Calgary police association’s John Dooks said officer-involved shooting are “one of the most traumatically difficult” experiences for an officer. The officers, a two-year member and a seven-year member, are “doing as well as can be expected,” Dooks said.
“These officers are the victims; they were forced to use their firearms to defend themselves and the public,” he added.
The seven-year member was treated in hospital and released.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating.
