Police Shooting on Okotoks Roof Under Investigation by Watchdog Agency
A dramatic incident on a residential roof in Okotoks has prompted an investigation by Alberta's police watchdog after RCMP officers shot a man armed with both a knife and a shovel. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has released detailed information about the February 11th altercation that unfolded on Patterson Road.
Hostage Situation Leads to Roof Confrontation
According to ASIRT's official press release, officers responded to Patterson Road around 2 p.m. on February 11th following reports that a man had taken his parents hostage and placed them in danger. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered the suspect positioned on the porch roof of a residence, refusing to come down despite repeated commands.
Police were able to speak with the man's wife and determined that his parents were actually safe, though the initial report had suggested they were being held against their will. The situation escalated when officers observed the suspect was armed with potentially dangerous implements.
Weapons and Police Response
"Police were advised the man had a shovel and a baseball bat with him on the roof," stated ASIRT in their official release. Body-worn camera footage later confirmed the man was holding a knife in addition to the other weapons, creating a volatile situation for responding officers.
Mounties called in specialized support from the Rural Police and Crisis Team (RPACT), which includes officers working alongside registered nurses to handle mental health crises. The RPACT arrived within minutes of being summoned to assist with the unfolding situation.
Escalation on the Roof
After the man was informed he would be arrested under the Mental Health Act, he pushed away a ladder that had been propped against the roof, preventing officers from accessing his position. Okotoks firefighters then arrived at the scene and placed additional ladders at both the front and rear of the home.
An RPACT officer managed to access the roof, where a physical altercation ensued. During this confrontation, the RPACT officer deployed a conducted energy weapon and also fired a gun multiple times, striking the man once in the side of his body according to ASIRT's account.
Resolution and Aftermath
Following the shooting, the man surrendered one knife, but the situation remained tense. His mother, who had climbed onto the roof during the incident, obtained two additional knives from him and threw them to the ground below, removing further weapons from the equation.
After extended negotiations and being informed he would face weapons possession charges, the man eventually climbed down from the roof. Officers provided immediate medical treatment for his injuries before taking him into custody. Authorities confirmed that his injuries were not life-threatening.
ASIRT's investigation will focus on reviewing the conduct of police officers involved in the incident, as part of their mandate to examine cases where police actions result in serious injury or death. The independent agency will scrutinize all aspects of the response, from initial engagement to the use of force on the roof.
The incident highlights the complex challenges law enforcement faces when responding to mental health crises involving armed individuals in precarious locations. The investigation continues as ASIRT gathers evidence and interviews witnesses to determine whether proper protocols were followed during the tense confrontation.
