Police shoot and kill woman Wednesday morning in Edmonton

Alberta’s police watchdog is investigating after police shot and killed a woman in Edmonton Wednesday morning.

Edmonton Police Service says just before 10:40 a.m., officers responded to a multi-unit residence near 18 Avenue and 32 Street after receiving a call for a wellness check of a woman.

When officers arrived at the home, they had no response. Police say they then proceeded with the information they received and forcefully entered the home under the belief of the imminent risk of self-harm to the woman, and to ensure her health and safety.

“Somebody there did not open the door. [Pointing at apartment unit] And after maybe they broke the door and lots of police here,” said Darvinder, who lives in the apartment building.

Police say shortly after the officers entered the home, a confrontation occurred. During the confrontation, one of the officers fired a taser and their gun, hitting the woman.

It’s the second time this week EPS officers have fired their guns and killed someone.

Police say the woman died from her injuries.

According to police, a fake gun was found at the scene. One resident says they witnessed something off about a woman from the same building two weeks ago.

“I am not sure the same woman. But I see here the nude, maybe she on drugs or something. But I see just I go to get coffee and she walking here,” said Darvinder.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been notified of the shooting and has since taken over the investigation.

In an exclusive interview with CityNews on Thursday, Edmonton police Superintendant Keith Johnson said there is a real concern with the number of weapons complaints officers are responding to this year.

“The gun play is serious. We are a big city and we have big city issues. But what you see in the last few days with the lockdowns in the malls, it’s very concerning,” said Johnson.

According to ASIRT, they are investigating six officer-involved shootings involving Edmonton police in 2023.