A police watchdog says no charges will be laid against Saint John police officers involved in a shooting last fall.
“On arrival, an officer was confronted by the armed suspect who failed to comply with the officers’ commands,” police said in a news release at the time.
“As a result, the officer then discharged his firearm at the suspect and another officer also used force to stop the threat of violence towards themselves and the public.”
Paramedics transported a 46-year-old man to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
A report by the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), which was brought in to investigate, sheds more light on exactly what unfolded.
“When police arrived on scene, the male pointed a firearm at the officer and advanced toward him. He did not respond to the officer’s commands to drop the weapon,” SiRT said in a news release.
“In response, the officer deployed his firearm and shot the male in the leg. While the male was on the ground, he pointed his firearm at the officer and made attempts to stand up.”
“A second officer, who had watched the incident unfold, drove his police vehicle into the male.”
Investigators determined the use of force was appropriate given the circumstances and there are no reasonable grounds to believe the officers committed a criminal offence.
You can view the full report here.
