The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the actions of Calgary police after an officer-involved shooting in the community of Dover on Thursday that sent one man to hospital.
It happened after police arrived in the area of 30 Avenue and 36 Street N.E. at around 7 p.m. for reports of a stolen vehicle.
Officers on scene had called in the HAWCS helicopter to assist them. While they were waiting for the chopper to arrive, police said the stolen vehicle drove into an alley in the 3800 block of 30 Avenue S.E. Police followed the vehicle – a 2000 Honda Civic – in a marked police car and pulled it over.
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“The patrol members exited their vehicle and approached the Civic at which time a series of events occurred that resulted in one police officer being dragged by the vehicle,” a Thursday news release said.
“A second officer, a three-year-member of the Calgary Police Service, discharged their service-issued firearm, striking the driver of the stolen vehicle.”
The officer who was dragged by the vehicle, who was also a three-year member of the CPS, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the vehicle, a 21-year-old man, was taken to hospital in series non-life-threatening condition.
The incident marks Calgary’s eighth officer-involved shooting of the year.
Car thefts becoming ‘incredibly chaotic events’: Roger Chaffin
Calgary Police Chief Roger Chaffin spoke about the officer-involved shooting at a Thursday evening news conference.
“I think we’ve seen about 4,000 stolen vehicles in the city this year,” Chaffin said. “I think all too often our officers are being put into harm’s way as we attempt to interact with some of these vehicles.”
READ MORE: Calgary police officer fires at truck stopped west of city
“Today alone we saw three such events, where we’ve uncovered loaded firearms and drugs in vehicles. They’re becoming incredibly chaotic events.”
“I’m very proud of how our officers are handling these on a day-to-day basis, but today is one of those situations again where we were forced to – get into a position to – use our firearms in a vehicle stop.”
WATCH: Police Chief Roger Chaffin briefs the media in a press conference Thursday night
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