Police arrest man following incident with fake gun

“Once that challenge was initiated, the male appeared to be somewhat incoherent and refused to drop the firearm. And was basically in a standoff type of situation with that member.” Staff sergeant Kelsey Fraser described. “During that lull before his backup arrived he was still in a verbal confrontation trying to get this guy to drop the gun. This male then decided to waistband his firearm and come towards the police officer and in doing so he stumbled and fell.”

As the man was on the ground he reached again for the weapon, but another arrived arrived on scene to help restrain him.

The gun was found to be a replica.

“Replica’s now look like a real firearm, they have the weight of them, they sound like them when you move the actions. A police officer can not distinguish that under stress from 15 feet away. We consider that a lethal threat and we only find out after the fact whether or not that is a real firearm.” Said Fraser.

Fraser said the realness of these firearms are extremely worrying for police across the country.

He is very thankful the Medicine Hat officers were able to stop the suspect without having to use their own firearms.

“There’s been shootings in Canada with police officers dealing with people with replica firearms right. And those types of events have stood up in court that it was a justified shooting. We as a service and community do not want to have that issue.” He continued. “When an officer engages in a lethal force confrontation there’s a myriad of stress after that.”

Immediately after an officer is engaged in a lethal force confrontation there is a criminal investigation through The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT). The member involved in the shooting is charted and cautioned for their rights.

“It’s a life changing event for those members. I work with members who have been in shootings here and I can tell you, knowing them for many years in changes who they are. But that’s what their job is and they continue to do their job. And they know that’s the risk. But the idea of carrying a replica firearm and putting yourself as a person in the community at risk… and then putting that on us because of you’re behaviour? Totally unfair.” Fraser said.

The man is currently is custody awaiting a bail hearing.

He’s been charged with possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace, breach of undertaking, breach of probation and outstanding warrants.

by Hayley Ferguson

Police arrest man following incident with fake gun

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