ASIRT Clears Edmonton Officers in 2024 Fatal Shooting

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has officially cleared Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of a man on Whyte Avenue. The decision, released on February 18, 2026, concludes that the use of lethal force was legally justified given the immediate threat to the public.

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The Confrontation

In July 2024, officers responded to a high-stress scene near 93 Street where a man was reportedly terrorizing pedestrians. The situation escalated rapidly based on several factors:

• Hostage Situation: The man had previously held a firearm to a woman’s head while she was shopping.
• Non-Compliance: Upon police arrival, the man ignored commands to drop his weapon and instead sprinted toward officers with the gun raised.
• The Shooting: A responding officer fired a carbine, striking the man once. He later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Key Factors in the Clearance

The ASIRT investigation focused on the “reasonableness” of the officers’ actions. The report highlighted three critical details that supported the officers:

1. The Weapon: Although the gun was later found to be an unloaded air pistol, it was a high-fidelity replica of a .357 Magnum. ASIRT ruled that officers had to treat it as a real firearm.
2. Toxicology: Post-mortem results showed the man had methamphetamine and significant levels of alcohol in his system.
3. Imminent Danger: Because the man had already threatened a bystander’s life, the officers were found to be acting in the interest of public preservation.

Final Ruling

ASIRT Executive Director Matthew Block concluded that the officer’s belief in an “immediate and lethal threat” was reasonable. Consequently, no criminal charges will be laid against the police.