No pattern to fatal police shootings, but more guns on Edmonton streets: police chief

The families of two people shot and killed by Edmonton police in February were recognized during a Thursday meeting as the city's police chief faced questions about why officers are shooting people.

The families of two people shot and killed by Edmonton police in February were recognized during a Thursday meeting as the city's police chief faced questions about why officers are shooting people.

On Feb. 23, several Edmonton Police Service officers fired their guns in central Edmonton, killing two people.

One of the men, 36, had a fake gun and was the suspect in a liquor store robbery, officials said. The other man, 59, was a resident who was not involved in the police chase.

"The commission recognizes that this is a difficult time for the families of the deceased," chair John McDougall said.

"I'd like to provide assurances to the public that the commission takes its oversight role in these matters seriously and we will closely review the reports both from ASIRT (Alberta Serious Incident Response Team) and the police service."

A third person was killed by police gunfire on Saturday, after EPS said a "confrontation occurred" during an arrest attempt in a southwest residential area.

Police also shot and killed a man in north central Edmonton on New Years Eve.