Woman shot dead by Calgary police after mental health call turns violent

A woman died after Calgary police opened fire during a mental health call in Legacy Circle S.E. The case has been referred to Alberta's police watchdog ASIRT.

Fatal officer-involved shooting in southeast Calgary under watchdog investigation

A woman is dead after Calgary police officers fired on her during a mental health call in the city's southeast, Google News CA — Crime (EN) reports, as the city's police chief warns of a growing pattern of violent confrontations facing law enforcement.

Officers responded to the 200 block of Legacy Circle S.E. at around 1:20 a.m. following a call — made by the woman herself, police later confirmed. At approximately 2:30 a.m., she exited the residence carrying a weapon, and the situation escalated. One officer discharged a non-lethal round; shortly afterward, a second officer fired a service weapon, striking the woman. She was declared dead at the scene.

During the altercation, a nearby gas line was ruptured. One officer was transported to hospital as a precautionary measure due to gas exposure; a second was assessed by paramedics on site. The Calgary Fire Department secured the scene quickly, though the cause of the gas meter rupture remains undetermined, police said in an earlier statement.

The case has been handed to ASIRT, Alberta's independent police watchdog, for investigation. As a result, police said they were unable to disclose certain details, including the nature of the weapon the woman was carrying.

Police also confirmed they had responded to calls from the same address on multiple previous occasions.

"New normal" of escalating threats, says police chief

At a news conference Wednesday morning, Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan placed the incident in broader context. "This is among a string of concerning events where officers have been confronted with violence, weapons and rapidly escalating threats," McLellan said.

On average, she said, Calgary police respond to eight situations involving firearms per day, and log a Code 200 — meaning an officer is in distress — around 40 times per month. So far this year, there have been four officer-involved shootings in the city.

More than 470 firearms have been seized by Calgary police this year, compared to roughly 270 at the same point last year. "Good news is that we're seizing more," McLellan said. "Bad news is that we're seeing more weapons on the street."

"Officer-involved shootings are among the most difficult moments we face as a service," she added. "They unfold quickly, often with very limited information, and they require officers to act in circumstances that most people will never experience."

McLellan said the cumulative toll on officers is significant. "For our members, these are situations they will carry with them for the rest of their careers and the rest of their lives."

Neighbours describe early-morning evacuation

Residents of the Legacy Circle neighbourhood woke to police at their doors shortly after 2:30 a.m. Carisa Collins, who lives nearby, said her partner was roused by sounds resembling gunshots and alerted her. Looking outside, they saw several officers with weapons drawn approaching a house. Officers went door-to-door directing residents to evacuate. Once outside, Collins said she could smell gas and was told a leak had been detected. She was allowed to return home approximately ten minutes later, once the leak was resolved.

Collins described the incident as frightening and said she had not previously noticed any issues at the property in question.

Neighbour Nate Nickel said it was not the first time police had attended the address. Though he had spoken to the woman only once, he said he believed she had "some struggles." He recalled seeing police at the home the previous week, and at least once before that. Nickel said he did not hear the gunshots but was woken by officers knocking at his door and instructing his family to evacuate. By the time he had his children ready to leave, they were told it was safe to go back inside. He did not learn the woman had been shot until he woke again around 6 a.m.

Nickel has lived in the area for about two years. He described the neighbourhood as generally quiet but noted a handful of prior police incidents nearby.

Elizabeth Levert, who moved to the area in February, said she has seen the Calgary police tactical unit deploy in the neighbourhood at least three times since then, and that residents have been noting an increase in local crime on the neighbourhood's Facebook page.

Another couple living nearby said they consider the area relatively safe and view the shooting as an isolated incident rather than part of a wider pattern.

The ASIRT investigation is ongoing.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)