The province’s police watchdog is investigating two separate non-fatal shootings that occurred in northern Alberta earlier this month. On the morning of Aug. 4, RCMP were called to an apartment in Cold Lake for a report of an intoxicated man trying to harm himself. Officers were advised that the man had previous interactions with police. Around 10 a.m., police attempted to arrest the man, said a media release from Alberta’s Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT). During the arrest, the man grabbed a knife and refused officer commands to drop it, said ASIRT. He then went toward the officers and there was a confrontation. An officer then shot the man with his service pistol, ASIRT said. First aid was administered and the man was taken to hospital. ASIRT says he is expected to survive his injuries. Cold Lake is about 230 kilometres northeast of Edmonton. Mounties responded to a call about a domestic disturbance at a home in Fox Creek at about 10 p.m. on Aug. 4. The caller reported that a man had allegedly assaulted a woman and shot a gun inside the home. It was also reported that a 12-year-old boy was at the home. Officers attempted to contact the man but he refused to leave. Police then obtained a search warrant. Around midnight, negotiators used a loudhailer telling the man to surrender. Police continued this for several hours. ASIRT said officers used “less-lethal options” in an attempt to get the man to surrender around 5 a.m. The man then appeared with a gun and an officer shot him. Paramedics staged nearby provided medical treatment and took the man to hospital. He is expected to survive his injuries, says ASIRT. Fox Creek is about 230 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
