Calgary police have reported a fatality after an officer fatally shot a woman in the Legacy neighborhood during the early hours of Wednesday. The incident occurred in the 200 block of Legacy Circle S.E. following a mental health call from the woman’s residence, with prior encounters between the police and the woman over the past few months.
Approximately an hour later, the woman emerged from the house wielding a weapon, leading to a confrontation with the officers. The specific type of weapon carried by the woman was not disclosed by the authorities. The situation soon escalated, resulting in the officer discharging their weapon and fatally injuring the woman.
Following the shooting, a gas meter was damaged, causing a gas leak that prompted Calgary Fire to respond to the scene around 2:30 a.m. The fire department successfully managed to contain the gas leak, allowing evacuated residents to return to their homes. One officer was hospitalized as a precaution due to exposure to the gas, while another officer received on-site evaluation.
As per standard procedure for police-involved shootings, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) will conduct an investigation into the incident. Chief Katie McLellan highlighted the challenges faced by officers in responding to violent and escalating situations, citing recent incidents involving firearms in Calgary.
McLellan emphasized the emotional toll that officer-involved shootings take on the police force, stating that these moments leave a lasting impact on the officers involved. This incident marks the fourth officer-involved shooting in Calgary this year, underscoring the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.