By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) With files from Patrick Burles and ASIRT

LPS officer cleared of wrongdoing in officer involved shooting

Feb 7, 2017 | 2:24 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  A cityPolice officer has been cleared of any wrong-doing in the shooting of a 17-year-old youth in October of 2015.
 
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) conducted the investigation, which included interviews with witnesses.  The investigation determined the youth failed to follow commands from police and his conduct could not reasonably be predicted. It was also established that the young man presented a threat to the lives of the police officers on scene, as well as the public.
 
On the afternoon of October 9th, 2015, Lethbridge Police were responded to a 911 call at the Westside Safeway, about a young man who was alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman, obtained a knife from the meat department, and then fled the store.
 
An officer found the youth at the intersection of Red Crow Blvd. and Squamish Court, where he demanded the youth put down the weapon. However, the youth ignored the command and advanced towards the officer with the knife. Others officers arrived on the scene and one of them was able to fire his service weapon without impacting bystanders.  Officers immediately provided medical attention to the young man, who was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for multiple gunshot wounds.  He continues to recover.
 
On December 13th, 2016, the 17-year old entered guilty pleas to charges of assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.  At the time, a pre-sentence report to examine the offender’s personal history and willingness to change was ordered.

Sentencing has been set for April 19, 2017.

The full determination can be found on the ASIRT’s website