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• Innocent man in nearby apartment dead after Edmonton police shoot and kill armed robbery suspect

  Police were called to an armed robbery in the area of 1133 st and 104 ave at approximately 6:25pm. The 36-year-old man fled the liquor store and was found near 105 st and 107 ave at approximately 7:01pm. A confrontation occurred and police discharged their firearms, fatally wounding the man who was declared dead on the scene. A 59-year-old man in the basement suite behind the first victim was also hit by police fire, and was located some time after the shooting. Emergency first aid was provided and he was rushed to hospital by paramedics but died from his injuries. Later investigation of the scene determined that the 36-year-old victim had an imitation firearm. An ASIRT investigation has been opened, and the officers involved taken off active duty. The Archive team will update as this case progresses.
• EPS officer suspended without pay for releasing police dog on teenage girl

  An Edmonton police officer has been suspended without pay for allowing a police dog to bite a 16-year-old girl during a wrongful arrest. Const. Antonio Costa was given a 50-hour suspension and ordered to take remedial training for the May 2017 arrest, which left the youth with serious injuries to her arm. Costa was a member of the Edmonton police canine unit at the time of the arrest. According to a disciplinary decision released Wednesday, he was asked to assist with an early morning assault call on May 14, 2017, during which two men allegedly entered a house near 112 Avenue and 91 Street and sprayed bear spray at the occupants. The two men  who were described as wearing red hats and red running shoes  escaped on BMX bikes. Costa and his police dog arrived in the area and saw several people on bikes headed eastward. The disciplinary decision does not specify which dog Costa was partnered with that night, though the EPS website says he is the handler for PSD Amok, a Belgian Malinois. After spotting the cyclists, Costa saw a group on foot near 114 Avenue and 91 Street and pulled up beside them. Though the group did not have bicycles, Costa told them they were under investigative detention. After hearing this, the group scattered, and Costa released his police dog. The dog chased the 16-year-old girl  identified in the decision as BB  and bit her on the right forearm. She was taken to the Stollery Childrens Hospital, where she was treated for puncture wounds. Costa was initially charged with eight counts of misconduct under the Police Act, including neglect of duty and insubordination. He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful or necessary use of authority. The defence and prosecution agreed to a 50-hour suspension without pay, which Costa will serve in five-hour increments. Fred Kamins, the retired RCMP superintendent who presided over the hearing, formally imposed the sentence last month. Costa must also undergo remedial training on arrest powers and investigative detention. Kamins said aggravating factors in the case include the injury to Ms. BB and the seriousness of interfering with someones liberty, while crediting Costa with pleading guilty and maintaining an otherwise blemish free record. The Edmonton Police Association declined to comment on the Costa case. (Text adapted from CBC News)