Update on death in Edmonton Police Service custody

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) continues to investigate the death of a man in Edmonton police custody.

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) arrested the 27-year-old man shortly before 8 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2026 and brought him to the EPS Detainee Management Unit (DMU). Officers had arrested him for shoplifting and breaching release conditions, and police were holding him pending a bail hearing.

While in custody, an on-site paramedic performed a medical screening on the man and he was placed in a holding cell equipped with biometric monitoring devices.

At a bail hearing conducted by video conference the next day, Sept. 17, a justice of the peace ordered the man’s release. Just after 5:20 p.m., DMU staff moved the man into a release cell occupied by two other detainees while his paperwork was being finalized.

The release cell was equipped with closed-circuit cameras, but didn’t have biometric monitoring. ASIRT’s investigation so far has included a review of the camera recording, which showed the man moving in the cell until approximately 6:40 p.m., when he laid down on the floor. At 7:02 p.m., an officer entered the cell to release the man and discovered he was unconscious.

Staff took the man out of the cell and the on-site paramedic provided emergency treatment until an ambulance arrived, however, the man died before he could be taken to hospital.

The information in this release reflects that ASIRT investigators know at this early stage and what they can share while maintaining the integrity of the investigation.

ASIRT is part of the Police Review Commission, 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