Mountie cleared in shooting of pedestrian ‘acting erratically’ on Trans-Canada Highway

A Mountie who shot a woman accused of carrying a weapon, wandering through traffic and climbing onto vehicles on the Trans-Canada Highway will not face charges.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has concluded its investigation into the May 12 incident and cleared the involved officer, it said in a news release Monday.

A 54-year-old woman from the Municipality of North Cypress-Langford was injured in the shooting. Police were sent to an area near Road 88 West, about nine kilometres west of Carberry, after receiving reports of “a person acting erratically and walking in traffic,” the release said.

“The woman was non-compliant and produced an edged weapon. An officer discharged their firearm, striking the woman,” the IIU said. “Following due consideration of all the circumstances, the civilian director will not be authorizing charges.”

Seven civilian witnesses and the woman who was shot by police provided statements to investigators, the release said.

The IIU did not release a copy of its investigative report because the woman is awaiting court proceedings related to charges stemming from the incident. The report will be made available after those proceedings conclude, it said.