Alberta Mounties have provided an update on an incident that occurred late last month involving the exchange of gunfire between police and a suspect near Carstairs.
According to Mounties, as a result of the investigation by the Southern Alberta District General Investigation Section and Calgary Police Service into the incidents leading up to the officer-involved shooting, charges have been pursued against a 34-year-old Calgary resident, Stefan Service.
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Service was remanded into custody and will be appearing in the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary today.
Service has been charged with:
- Two counts of Mischief under $5000
- Causing Unnecessary Suffering to an Animal
- Flight From Police
- Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
- Fail to Comply with Blood Demand
- two counts of Discharge firearm with intent to wound/maim
- Two counts of Assault on a peace officer with a weapon
- Reckless discharge of a firearm at a place
- Three counts of Reckless discharge of a firearm endangering life
- Possession of firearm in motor vehicle
- Use a firearm in the commission of an offence
- Two counts of Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Two counts of Possession of a firearm contrary to Prohibition Order
- Resist arrest
- Flight from a peace officer
Last month, on June 22, 2024, at 11:40 p.m., Alberta RCMP were notified by the Calgary Police Service of a suspect that had previously fled from police and was being covertly followed by a HAWCS helicopter.
"In coordination with officers from Calgary Police Service, RCMP from Didsbury and Olds set up a covert tire deflation device and was successful in disabling the vehicle on the QEII Highway near Highway 581," RCMP stated.
A traffic stop was conducted and there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police resulting in no injuries to police or the suspect. Police were able to disengage from the suspect and set up containment. RCMP made verbal contact with the suspect and successfully de-escalated the incident. The suspect surrendered to police.
CPS also released a statement on the incident in June. According to CPS, a Calgary police officer had discharged their firearm during the police incident east of Carstairs.
"We can confirm that during the exchange of gunfire between police and the suspect that occurred on Highway 2 near Highway 581, a CPS officer discharged their service firearm. As is standard practice, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) will investigate the use of force by police. As such, no further information can be shared," police previously stated in a brief release
According to CPS, they responded to reports of a domestic disturbance in southwest Calgary where it was reported that a man had caused damage to property inside a residence, damage to a vehicle, and injury to a cat.
"When CPS officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop involving the suspect, he fled from police in his vehicle. It is believed the suspect was impaired at the time."
The CPS coordinated with the Alberta RCMP, who took over command of the incident at about 11:40 p.m.
"In compliance with legislative requirements, the Director of Law Enforcement was immediately notified causing the deployment of ASIRT to oversee the investigations into this incident. The RCMP believes in accountability and transparency and in so doing will provide full support to the ASIRT investigators," Mounties added.
Independent of ASIRT’s investigation, the RCMP’s and CPS’s internal review processes have been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident, including Police training, policy, and response.
Police added that as this matter is now before the courts, no further information will be provided. The investigation continues and further charges may be pursued.
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