Edmonton Bystander Killed by Police: No Charges Filed
Following a February 2022 armed robbery, Edmonton police officers pursued a suspect who pointed a weapon—later determined to be a BB gun—at them, resulting in the suspect’s death from multiple gunshot wounds. Stray bullets from the officers’ return fire penetrated a nearby apartment building, fatally striking innocent bystander James Hanna. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) concluded that the officers’ use of force was justified given the perceived threat, finding no grounds for criminal negligence charges. While acknowledging the tragic nature of Hanna’s death, ASIRT stated that questions regarding its preventability fall outside its investigative mandate.
John Q. Hosedrinker