Alberta police watchdog investigating after male suspect shot dead by RCMP

The province'spolice watchdog has been directedto investigate afterRCMP in northern Alberta shot and killed a male suspectin a confrontation Sunday evening.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Cold LakeRCMP responded to a report of a dispute occurring in a vehicle in the area of Ardmore, RCMP said in a news release Monday. Ardmore isa hamlet 30 kilometres southwest of Cold Lake.

A male suspect fled on foot and officers, helped by a police service dog, conducted a search.

"A short time later, a confrontation occurred between the officers and the suspect which resulted in an officer discharging their service weapon," police said.

"The suspect sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the confrontation. On-scene officers provided medical assistance, however, he succumbed to his injuries."

The person who died was from the Cold Lake area, police said.

The police service dog was injuredduring the incident and was taken to a veterinarian for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the actions of the police during this investigation, police said.

ASIRT is also investigating an incident in the High Prairie area earlier this month that left a 29-year-old man and a police dog dead.

Lionel Ernest Grey died of injuries after being taken into custody on June 18.

Police had been tracking him in WinagamiLake Provincial Park, northof High Prairie.

An RCMP spokesperson said there was an exchange of gunfire but were not able to confirm if Grey died of a gunshot wound.

Flags in High Prairie werelowered to half-mast in honour of the police dog, named Jago.

• Suspect, RCMP dog dead after High Prairie police operation