Incident Overview
A 36-year-old Calgary man, identified as Danny Martin, remains in critical condition at Foothills Hospital following a police-involved shooting early Thursday morning in the Bridlewood community. The incident, which occurred in the 1000 block of Bridlemeadows Manor S.W., is now under investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).
Calgary Police Service (CPS) reported that officers were dispatched to the residence at approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday following reports of a disturbance involving an individual with a weapon. Upon arrival, the suspect had retreated into the home. Officers engaged in a standoff that lasted approximately two hours before a confrontation occurred outside the residence, leading one officer to discharge their service firearm.
Conflicting Accounts and Family Response
Shanda Rea, Martin’s fiancée, has publicly questioned the necessity of the lethal force used during the encounter. She claims the situation stemmed from a dispute involving a bow and arrow in their backyard, which she alleges led a neighbor to contact the police. Rea stated that officers had visited the property earlier that evening but left after she misled them regarding Martin’s presence due to an existing no-contact order between the couple.
Rea described the injuries sustained by Martin as severe, noting that he required surgery to remove his gallbladder, with bullets striking his liver, intestines, ribs, and arm. She expressed frustration regarding the tactical choices made by officers, questioning why less-lethal options such as tasers, rubber bullets, or canine units were not utilized instead.
Community Impact and Investigation
Local residents reported being alerted by gunshots around 2:51 a.m. Brooklyn Murray, a neighbor, described the scene as chaotic, noting that the street was cordoned off as police presence increased. Another neighbor, Alastair Luke, remarked on the sudden influx of activity at the residence, which he noted the occupants had moved into only within the last month.
No officers were injured during the incident. ASIRT has assumed responsibility for the investigation, a standard procedure in Alberta for police-involved shootings resulting in serious injury or death. This marks the second such investigation involving the Calgary police in 2026 to date.