An investigation into the fatal shooting of a suspect involved in multiple stabbings in Edmonton on May 5, 2023, has concluded that Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers acted lawfully and reasonably. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) found no grounds to charge the officers involved, ruling that the use of force was proportionate and necessary under the circumstances.The incident unfolded after EPS received 9-1-1 calls reporting stabbings near Crawford Plains School in southeast Edmonton. A mother and her child were fatally stabbed, and witnesses described the attacker as a male who fled the scene. Two EPS officers, responding to the emergency, located the suspect, identified as the "affected person" (AP), just three blocks from the crime scene.According to ASIRT’s report, when the officers confronted AP, he immediately sprayed one officer, identified as Subject Officer #1 (SO1), with bear spray. AP, armed with two knives, then charged at SO1, shouting, “Come on, come on!” Despite repeated commands to drop the weapons, AP advanced aggressively, prompting both SO1 and Subject Officer #2 (SO2) to open fire. SO1 used his handgun, while SO2 fired multiple rounds from his carbine. AP was struck several times and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital on May 10.Civilian witnesses corroborated the officers’ account. One witness described AP’s actions as “threatening and aggressive,” and confirmed hearing the officers give commands before gunshots were fired. Another witness recounted seeing AP deploy bear spray and charge at SO1 with knives in hand.An autopsy revealed that AP had fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cannabis in his system at the time of the incident. The report also noted that AP had a history of mental health issues.ASIRT’s investigation concluded that the officers had reasonable grounds to use deadly force. The suspect posed an imminent threat to the officers' lives, and their actions were consistent with both s. 25 and s. 34 of the Criminal Code, which justify the use of force in self-defense or the defense of others. ASIRT emphasized that the officers’ conduct should not be judged with the benefit of hindsight, but rather based on the immediacy and severity of the threat they faced."There is no evidence to support any belief that either officer engaged in any unlawful or unreasonable conduct," ASIRT stated in its final report. "The force used was proportionate, necessary, and reasonable in all the circumstances."As a result, the officers were cleared of any wrongdoing, and no charges will be laid.
An investigation into the fatal shooting of a suspect involved in multiple stabbings in Edmonton on May 5, 2023, has concluded that Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers acted lawfully and reasonably. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) found no grounds to charge the officers involved, ruling that the use of force was proportionate and necessary under the circumstances.The incident unfolded after EPS received 9-1-1 calls reporting stabbings near Crawford Plains School in southeast Edmonton. A mother and her child were fatally stabbed, and witnesses described the attacker as a male who fled the scene. Two EPS officers, responding to the emergency, located the suspect, identified as the "affected person" (AP), just three blocks from the crime scene.According to ASIRT’s report, when the officers confronted AP, he immediately sprayed one officer, identified as Subject Officer #1 (SO1), with bear spray. AP, armed with two knives, then charged at SO1, shouting, “Come on, come on!” Despite repeated commands to drop the weapons, AP advanced aggressively, prompting both SO1 and Subject Officer #2 (SO2) to open fire. SO1 used his handgun, while SO2 fired multiple rounds from his carbine. AP was struck several times and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital on May 10.Civilian witnesses corroborated the officers’ account. One witness described AP’s actions as “threatening and aggressive,” and confirmed hearing the officers give commands before gunshots were fired. Another witness recounted seeing AP deploy bear spray and charge at SO1 with knives in hand.An autopsy revealed that AP had fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cannabis in his system at the time of the incident. The report also noted that AP had a history of mental health issues.ASIRT’s investigation concluded that the officers had reasonable grounds to use deadly force. The suspect posed an imminent threat to the officers' lives, and their actions were consistent with both s. 25 and s. 34 of the Criminal Code, which justify the use of force in self-defense or the defense of others. ASIRT emphasized that the officers’ conduct should not be judged with the benefit of hindsight, but rather based on the immediacy and severity of the threat they faced."There is no evidence to support any belief that either officer engaged in any unlawful or unreasonable conduct," ASIRT stated in its final report. "The force used was proportionate, necessary, and reasonable in all the circumstances."As a result, the officers were cleared of any wrongdoing, and no charges will be laid.
