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 Calgary police surround an apartment complex in the city’s downtown last night where an officer opened fire on a suspect, sending him to hospital. It’s the second such incident in three days. (Photo courtesy of Anant Baveja) |
CALGARY -- For the second time in three days, a man has been shot by police.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is now investigating after police shot a man on the third floor of an apartment building in the 1100 block of 8 Ave. S.W. who was believed to be armed with a knife.
Third floor tenant Ted Morgan said about 9 p.m. he heard police trying to negotiate with the man before the shooting.
“All I heard was ‘Drop the knife’ and a gun blast,” he said.
“I looked through the peephole and saw police. I was a little concerned.”
Calgary Police Association president John Dooks confirmed an officer did fire on a man in the building.
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“It was a call for a weapons complaint —my understanding was armed with a weapon,” he said.
Lisa Stewart, who knows the victim as Leo, said he is a nice guy in his 40s who lives alone.
“He seems to be a normal guy,” she said, adding she saw him being taken on a stretcher to the ambulance with a bloody arm. “I was surprised to see it was him coming out onto the stretcher.”
She too heard the frightening incident unfold.
“This is the first time I have heard a gunshot in my building,” she said. “It was very, very scary.”
Residents heard an alarm sound and were told to stay in their rooms during the ordeal but were then evacuated from the building for a short time.
Carolynne Gillender, who lives on the third floor, said she heard a scream before a loud blast of the gunshot.
“It just rattled the whole building,” she said.
“I’m very shaky — this is supposed to be a safe place,” she said of the secure front entrance. “I’m I’m shock. It really hits home.”
One man was taken to hospital in serious condition, said Calgary EMS. ASIRT head Clifton Purvis said he would me commenting on the incident today.
This shooting comes just days after a TAC team member fatally shot Melvin Vanhouwe outside a Southwood home.
katie.schneider@sunmedia.ca