An Alberta RCMP officer has been cleared of wrongdoing after shooting at an American man who illegally crossed into Canada in February 2025.
According to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, the man fled a border checkpoint at Coutts and led police on a high-speed chase that lasted more than an hour, reaching speeds of up to 150 km/h. Officers said he refused to stop, drove dangerously, and at one point held a gun to his own head.
Police tried several times to stop the vehicle, including using spike belts, but the man kept going. The chase ended near Raymond when his vehicle went into a ditch. He got out and ran toward a home while still holding the gun.
An officer fired one shot as the man approached the property. Moments later, after a police dog was deployed, the man shot himself. His death was ruled a suicide.
ASIRT found the officer’s actions were reasonable and necessary, and no charges will be laid.
