ASIRT investigating in-custody death of break-and-enter suspect

At least one officer deployed their Conductive Energy Weapon, and shortly after police say the man was in medical distress.

Alberta Serious Response Incident Team (ASIRT) has been called in to investigate after a man died while in Calgary Police Service custody. Around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, police were called to a residence in the 0 to 100 block of Abbercove Road S.E. for reports of a break and enter involving a weapon. The suspect fled the neighbourhood prior to police arrival, CPS said in a news release.

Officers located the suspect, and while attempting to take him into custody, the man “became combative and did not comply with police directions,” according to CPS. At least one officer deployed their Conductive Energy Weapon, and shortly after police say the man was in medical distress. He was transported to hospital, where he later died.

Neither officers nor members of the public sustained injuries during the confrontations. At the time of the incident, CPS said there was no active threat to the community, and no road closures, however officers advised people to avoid the area. As the death occured in police custody, ASIRT has been called in to investigate.

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