Armed suicidal man shot by Edmonton police hours after negotiator tried to get him to surrender Saturday; ASIRT investigating

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A 36-year-old armed suicidal man is in hospital after being shot by Edmonton city police after hours of negotiations Saturday morning, a case now under investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).

Edmonton police received reports around 5 a.m. that an intoxicated man was showing erratic behaviour and threatening to hurt himself while he was in possession of a firearm inside a home near 125 Street and 147 Avenue where there were was a minor present. When officers arrived, they secured the area and — with the help of a neighbour — safely removed the minor from the house, a police news release issued Saturday afternoon.

A police negotiator called in to speak to the man, encouraging him to peacefully surrender and accept help, resulted with him stepping outside but armed with an edged weapon and a gun, said the release. The man then returned inside the house.

The negotiator continued to try to get the man to surrender but around 7:20 a.m., the man exited the house for a second time and a confrontation occurred with officers who then opened fire.

Paramedics treated the man for bullet wounds before and he was transported to hospital where he remains in serious condition.

Police say no officers or bystanders were physically harmed.

ASIRT is now leading the investigation into the shooting.

This is the second case involving city police that ASIRT has been called to investigate in just over a week.

Last Tuesday, April 20, the police watchdog was called to investigate after a 19-year-old man was injured when police rammed his vehicle following high speed chase.

More to come…

dshort@Postmedia.com