Alberta’s police watchdog has released new details about the fatal RCMP shooting that followed a domestic violence call at a rural property near Cold Lake on June 25.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) says the RCMP received a 911 call shortly before 5 p.m. reporting that a man had allegedly assaulted a woman and threatened to kill her dog. Police were also told there was a loaded firearm on the property near where the incident had occurred.

According to ASIRT, the first responding RCMP officers secured the area before deploying a drone to monitor the man from a distance while attempting to make contact.

Hours of negotiations

RCMP Emergency Response Team officers later arrived at the property, and crisis negotiators contacted the man by phone.

Police spent several hours attempting to convince him to surrender peacefully.

ASIRT says officers believed the man was approaching a vehicle while carrying a loaded firearm and may have been preparing to leave the property. Based on the information available at the time, officers moved to prevent him from leaving.

During the confrontation, at least one RCMP officer discharged their service weapon, striking the man.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigations continue

ASIRT says the information released reflects what investigators know at this early stage and what can be shared without compromising the investigation.

The agency confirmed both the ASIRT investigation and the RCMP’s internal review remain ongoing, and no further information is being released at this time.

ASIRT, which operates under Alberta’s Police Review Commission, is an independent civilian-led agency responsible for investigating incidents involving police where an officer’s actions may have resulted in serious injury or death.