Calgary Police Justified : “Alberta Police Watchdog Deems 2022 Calgary Shooting ‘Reasonable'”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Alberta police shooting
2. Calgary man shooting justified

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has determined that Calgary officers were justified in using deadly force against an armed man who refused to drop his knife and stabbed a police dog. The report, released Friday, stated that officers acted with caution and used force only when necessary. The incident, which took place on a busy street east of downtown, involved multiple attempts to subdue the suspect with non-lethal force before he rushed the officers. Despite community concerns about mental health resources, the agency concluded that the officers’ actions were proportionate and reasonable. The suspect, identified as Latjor Tuel, died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, while the police dog suffered life-threatening injuries.

The Street Confrontation in Calgary

In a bustling street east of downtown Calgary, a dramatic and tragic incident unfolded on a February afternoon in 2022. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team recently released a report stating that Calgary officers were justified in their use of deadly force during a confrontation with an armed man who refused to drop his knife.

Reasonable Police Operation

According to the report, officers had little choice but to use deadly force against the man, later identified as Latjor Tuel. The agency’s executive director, Michael Ewenson, highlighted that the overall action taken by the officers was deemed “reasonable.” He praised the officers for acting slowly with a focus on de-escalation, using force only when the risk escalated.

Details of the Incident

The report revealed that on that fateful day, Calgary police responded to reports of a man in possession of weapons who had assaulted a bystander and was threatening others on the busy street. When they arrived, they found Tuel holding a walking stick and a knife. Despite multiple attempts to calm him down and subdue him with non-lethal force, Tuel refused to drop the knife.

Confrontation Escalation

During the confrontation, Tuel made demands to be taken back to Sudan, his homeland. He also goaded the officers, daring them to shoot and kill him. The situation took a tragic turn when Tuel rushed towards the officers, stabbing a police dog before being shot multiple times by the police. Tuel succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Community Response

Following the incident, some community members expressed concerns about the lack of mental health resources deployed to assist Tuel, who had a history of mental health issues. Ewenson addressed these concerns, stating that while health professionals may be able to defuse certain situations, there are limits to their effectiveness in volatile scenarios like the one involving Tuel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the report affirmed that the officers’ use of force was proportionate, necessary, and ultimately reasonable given the circumstances. The tragic events that unfolded on that February afternoon serve as a stark reminder of the challenges that law enforcement officers face in responding to complex and high-risk situations on the streets of Calgary.