A twenty-seven year old man is dead after a member of the Wood Buffalo RCMP discharged their service weapon at the Fort McMurray International Airport.
The incident is being investigated by The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.
On October 15, 2021, around 5:34am the Mounties responded to a complaint of a man in a taxi outside the departure doors at the airport holding a large knife to his own throat.
Available footage shows the man exited the taxi with the knife after police arrived.
After officers spoke with the man for about 20 minutes, the situation escalated.
Officers used a 40-mm less-lethal impact munition and a conducted energy weapon however, neither proved effective.
Around 6:19am, an officer discharged his service weapon and the man fell to the ground.
Emergency care was provided to the man by EMS personnel standing by, and he was transported to the hospital however he passed away shortly after arriving.
The man’s knife was recovered on scene.
ASIRT is examining the circumstances surrounding the use of lethal force and is looking for anyone who may have witnessed or have video of the incident to come forward.
No more information will be released to the public.
You can share your tips with ASIRT investigators at 780-644-1483.