An impaired-driving suspect was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic stop in southwest Edmonton Thursday afternoon.
The officer, a six-year veteran, and the suspect both got out of their vehicles on Hollands Landing, Edmonton Police Service Deputy Chief Kevin Brezinski told a news conference Thursday afternoon.
During an encounter, the officer discharged his firearm, Brezinski said.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The traffic stop was at 1:43 p.m., police said.
Police believe the man has family members in Edmonton and are in the process of notifying them.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave, Brezinski said.
Before the shooting, police had received two 911 calls from citizens reporting that a vehicle was swerving all over the road, Brezinski said.
A photo taken at the scene of the shooting shows a body on the ground near a minivan. (Supplied)
Hollands Landing is in the Hodgson neighbourhood, near 23rd Avenue and Rabbit Hill Road.
The shooting is now under investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) investigates incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
Investigating @edmontonpolice officer-involved shooting in SW #yeg. No further information available at this time.
Edmonton police officers at the scene of a shooting in the Hodgson neighbourhood Thursday. (Phil Laplante/CBC)