RCMP officers cleared following investigation into 2025 shooting

ERMINESKIN -- Alberta's police watchdog has released its report into a police-involved shooting that took place on the Ermineskin Cree Nation last year.

On June 24, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m., officers with the Maskwacis RCMP were dispatched to a residence following a disconnected 911 call from the suspect's mother. The dropped call followed an earlier report from the same woman earlier in the day that her son had been yelling, screaming, and possibly engaging in self-harming behaviour.

Upon arrival to the scene, officers observed the suspect outside the residence near the home's driveway. He stood facing the officers with a wide stance and appeared to be holding a long object in each hand, which turned out to be a metal pipe and an improvised firearm. After commands for the suspect to drop his weapons went ignored, one of the officers discharged his service pistol three times. 

The male suspect then took cover behind a parked vehicle, and when he reemerged still holding the weapons, the same officer fired another six shots at the suspect. Shortly after, another officer who had just arrived on scene, fired seven shots at the suspect. Eventually, the suspect would make his way to the open passenger side door of one of the police vehicles and enter. The second subject officer then approached the passenger side and fired approximately 13 to 15 rounds at the male suspect.

The suspect sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and wrist, and officers immediately provided first aid until EMS arrived on scene. The male was then transported by air ambulance to the University of Alberta Hospital where he underwent surgery. 

In their ruling, ASIRT cleared the two officers of any wrongdoing, saying that their use of force was proportionate, necessary, and reasonable. As a result, they stated that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that an offence was committed.