ASIRT investigating fatal Calgary Police Service shooting on Deerfoot Trail

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating a fatal Calgary Police Service shooting on Deerfoot Trail.

On June 21, 2026, Calgary police responded to reports of an erratic driver near Deerfoot Meadows shopping centre. Officers located the vehicle, a compact SUV, on the northbound side of Deerfoot Trail, between Memorial Drive E. and 16th Avenue N.E., and used their vehicles to stop the SUV in the far left lane at about 5:30 p.m.

After police stopped the SUV, officers blocked northbound traffic and, within minutes, police had also stopped southbound traffic at 16 Avenue N.E.

The driver remained inside the SUV. Initial information from officers at the scene indicated that she had a knife. Officers tried to speak with her, but she remained in the vehicle.

Officers received additional information as they monitored the woman inside the vehicle. During this time, officers continued to assess the situation, taking into account the woman’s actions, the location of the vehicle and the presence of traffic nearby.

About 20 minutes after police first stopped the SUV, officers approached the passenger side of the vehicle. Police broke the front passenger-side window and deployed OC spray — commonly known as pepper spray — into the SUV.

The woman then got out of the vehicle and moved towards officers. During the interaction that followed, officers used a projectile launcher and a Conducted Energy Weapon, commonly known as a Taser. One officer also fired a police rifle. The specific sequence of events remains under investigation.

Officers moved toward the woman and recovered a knife. Police and tactical emergency medical support provided emergency medical care before paramedics took the woman to hospital in an ambulance in life-threatening condition. She later died.

The Police Review Commission directed ASIRT to investigate this incident as a Level 1 matter. Under the Police Act, Level 1 matters generally include incidents involving serious injury or death, or serious or sensitive allegations about an officer’s actions.

ASIRT’s investigation will examine the actions of police, including the force used during the incident.

The information in this release reflects what investigators know at this early stage, and what they can share while maintaining the integrity of the investigation. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information is available for release at this time.

ASIRT is part of the Police Review Committee, an independent civilian-led agency. ASIRT investigates potential criminal offences involving police across Alberta, including cases where the actions of a police officer may have resulted in serious injury or death. 

Media inquiries:
PRCmedia@gov.ab.ca
780-644-0306