ASIRT clears officer who killed armed suspect during traffic stop

An Edmonton police officer who killed an armed man who had shot and wounded another police officerhas been cleared by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.

"The evidence clearly established that at the time of his death the 31-year old man presented a continuing threat to the lives of the officers,"ASIRTsaid in a news release Tuesday.

"In these circumstances, the use of lethal force was both reasonable and necessary."

The release said SusanHughson, ASIRT's executive director, has confirmed that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that any offence was committed. The officer will not face any charges.

• Man armed with sawed-off shotgun shot dead by Edmonton police

Police pulled over a suspected drunk driver near Victoria Trail and118thAvenue at about 9:30 p.m. on May 18, 2015.

The man was alone in the vehicle. Officers noted he was tense and sweating profusely. Hebecame agitated and belligerent. He insisted he hadn'tbeen drinking but said he had been in a fight with his girlfriend.

When one officer reached in to grab the keys, the manattempted to pull himinto the vehicle.

The officers managed to get the driver`s door open, and one of the officers drew hisTaser.

That officer then began yelling"Gun, gun, gun,"ASIRTsaid in the release.

Both officers ran forcover. One slipped and fell to the ground behind the suspect's vehicle.

He rolled ontohis back to see the man get out of the car, racka sawed-offshotgun and fireat him from close range.

Shot in the lower right leg and unable to stand, the officer dragged himself along the ground to gain cover behind the car.

Meanwhile theman ran across the street, pointing the shotgun back atpolice.

It was then the second officer fired several shots at the man, hitting himonce in the head.

The man was declared dead at the scene. The injured officer was admitted to hospital with significant shotgun wounds to his leg.

Police later learned the man had expressed suicidal thoughts in the past.

He had told his girlfriend that if he was to commit suicide, he would do it by shooting up a police station as he hated "cops."

Toxicology tests showed the man was under the influence ofmethamphetamine,oxycodoneand three other prescription medications commonly used to treat anxiety,Hughsonsaid.