Days after a man was shot in an officer-involved shooting, after carrying a rifle into a north Edmonton intersection, his father spoke to CTV News about what happened.
Glenn Pelletier is the father of Glenn Ironchild, a man who was struck and injured after walking into the busy intersection of 50 Street and 137 Avenue with a rifle, and allegedly pointing it at police on the scene.
EPS said at the time that a 10-year veteran discharged his firearm, injuring Ironchild. He was rushed to hospital where he remains.
Late Wednesday, Pelletier spoke to CTV News who has visited his son in hospital.
“He’s accepted the consequences of what’s going to happen, and I told him ‘Son, in a humble way, accept what you did, take the consequences of what’s going to happen’,” Pelletier said.
Pelletier is an addictions counselor in Saskatchewan, and said he rushed to Edmonton as quickly as he could to see his son, after he heard what happened.
The shooting took place a short time after Ironchild posted a video on Facebook, where he held a gun, and looked distraught, and was speaking incoherently at times.
On Wednesday, Pelletier said his son was awake and speaking.
“I believe he’s trying to find his way, he’s feeling bad, of hurting somebody else, that was never in his plans,” Pelletier said. “We need to help him, even at 36-years-old they still slip through the cracks.”
CTV News has learned through court documents that Ironchild had received a lifetime weapons ban as part of a 2012 conviction for a violent crime, and was wanted on warrants at the time of the shooting.
Pelletier said he blames himself for not always being part of his son’s life, but saying that will change, and he’s here for Ironchild from now on.
He said police have not yet charged Ironchild with criminal offences.
Pelletier didn’t have details on the extent of his son’s injuries, but said he suffered a chest wound, and a bullet passed through his lung and out his back.
ASIRT is investigating the shooting.
With files from David Ewasuk
