Man shot during Oilers watch party melee, stabbing; police cleared of wrongdoing

An Edmonton city police officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) after opening fire on a man during a fight and stabbing at an Ice District Oilers playoff watch party in April 2023. The incident took place during an investigation of a disturbance near the Ice District, where the Edmonton Oilers were playing an NHL playoff game. Extra city police officers had been called in for the event, including the officer who fired the shots. The man involved had consumed alcohol and drugs before the altercation occurred, leading to a fight and stabbing that resulted in charges against him.

The officer and his partner responded to the scene of the fight where witnesses reported that the suspect had a knife. Despite commands to drop the weapon, the suspect continued to move towards the officers, leading the officer to discharge his service pistol twice. The suspect was struck in the abdomen and left arm and was then handcuffed without any further force applied. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel arrived shortly after and transported the injured individuals to the hospital for treatment. One participant in the fight was treated and released, while the other required surgery and spent several days in the hospital.

The ASIRT report determined that the officer’s use of force was lawful and in line with the Criminal Code, which permits police officers to use necessary force in the execution of their duties. While it is easy to speculate about alternative courses of action in hindsight, the actions of the officer were deemed proportionate, necessary, and reasonable in the circumstances. The officer believed that the force was necessary for the preservation of himself and others at the scene, and the shooting was considered a justifiable response to the threat posed by the suspect.

The ASIRT investigation revealed that the officer and his partner had responded to a volatile situation where a fight had escalated into a stabbing, prompting calls for police intervention. The suspect’s refusal to drop the knife and continued movement towards the officers led to the decision to discharge the weapon in order to protect themselves and others. The officer’s actions were consistent with the standards of proportionality, necessity, and reasonableness in the use of force, considering the imminent threat posed by the suspect armed with a deadly weapon.

Overall, the ASIRT report concluded that the officer’s conduct was lawful and justified given the circumstances of the incident. The officer had acted in accordance with his duties to protect himself and others from harm, responding to a dangerous situation where lives were at risk. The investigation highlights the complex and challenging nature of police work, where split-second decisions can have life-altering consequences. In this case, the officer’s use of force was deemed appropriate and necessary to prevent further harm and ensure the safety of all individuals involved in the altercation.