Calgary police officer cleared in 2013 shooting outside bank

A Calgary police officer has been cleared in a shooting at a northwest Calgary mall last year.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, or ASIRT, released its report today on the shooting. The investigative unit concluded the officer was justified in firing his gun, which seriously injured a 38-year-old man.

• Calgary officer shoots man after elderly couple hit by vehicle

The incident happened on May 14, 2013, when police were asked to investigate a car that was parked at a bank at 101 Crowfoot Way N.W.

While dealing with the occupants of the car, police say the male driver attempted to escape by reversing the vehicle. The car struck a parked police vehicle and then drove forward onto the sidewalk, striking an elderly couple.

The uniformed officer fired two shots at the car. One of the bullets struck the man in the head. He survived but is permanently blind as a result of the shooting.

The 78-year old woman struck by the vehicle suffered a fractured right elbow and right hip. The elderly man escaped with minor injuries.

ASIRTdirector Clifton Purvis wrote in the report that the police officer did not commit any criminal offences. Further, Purvis concluded the actions of the officer likely saved the elderly couple from being more seriously injured.

As a matter of policy, ASIRT is called in to conduct independent investigation any time a police officer discharges a firearm.