ARTICLES

On August 3, 2024, police responded to an altercation in the area of Tower Estates in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Following an ongoing dispute between two males, several individuals arrived at a residence in the early hours and confronted a visitor there. The confrontation escalated, resulting in one of the males discharging a handgun and injuring the visitor with a gunshot wound. An investigation led to the arrest of two Medicine Hat residents. Kris Simons, 36, is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of controlled substances, and bail violations. Brent Heath, 36, faces charges of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, unlawful possession of a firearm, and related firearms offenses. Both individuals remain in custody following judicial hearings.

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is requesting anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact MHPS Major Crimes investigators at (403) 529-8481.

UPDATE

Police and emergency crews are clear of the scene and traffic is moving.

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a non-injury motor vehicle collision on Trans Canada Way SE near the Medicine Hat Fire Service Station 2. Please obey directions of police and flag persons that are in the area and give us room to work.

 - Update - 

Emergency crews are clear of the motor vehicle collision and highway 3 has been re-opened.

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a non-injury motor vehicle collision on Highway 3 at the intersection of South Boundary Road SW. There is significant traffic disruption because of the crash. The motoring public is requested to avoid the area. Any traffic entering the city  using highway 3 from the west, is requested to access the city via Township Road 120.   

Please obey directions of police and flag persons that are in the area.

Please give us room to work.

On Friday, August 2, 2024, the Alberta Serious Response Team (ASIRT) released the following information:

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Medicine Hat on Saturday, July 27.

Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) received a 911 call from a civilian who indicated a gun was discharged by the occupant of a suite in an apartment building in the 200 block of 8 Street S.W.

Officers attended and were able to remove several occupants from the building.

While officers were standing by the front entrance of the building a gun was discharged from within the suite, which injured several of the attending officers.

Police immediately returned fire and retreated from the building.

Tactical members arrived and later removed an injured man from the suite.

He was transported to hospital with gunshot wounds. A firearm was recovered from within the apartment building.

Following an investigation by MHPS Major Crimes Unit, Cole Anthony Scory, 30, of Medicine Hat, AB has been charged with four counts of attempted murder with a firearm, assault with a weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm without a license, and other firearms-related offenses. The suspect remains in stable condition and is in custody. The involved police officers are recovering from their injuries.

 MHPS is asking anyone, who has not already been interviewed but who may have been in the area and may have witnessed these events, and/or may have video, to contact MHPS Major Crimes investigators at (403) 529 8481.

Given the ongoing nature of both the ASIRT and MHPS investigations no additional details will be provided.

In the early afternoon hours of Saturday, July 27, 2024, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to the 200 block of 8^th Street SW for a weapons complaint. 

As a result, a 30-year-old male as well as members of the Medicine Hat Police Service sustained injuries.  The male was ultimately arrested and transported to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for treatment. Several police officers were also treated at the Hospital for their injuries. 

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has been assigned to investigate the events and as such no additional information will be provided.

Charges have been laid in a recent drug trafficking investigation which focused on a known drug trafficker in Medicine Hat.

On July 18, 2024, ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team, with help from the Medicine Hat Police Service, arrested Jacqueline Dopp. This marks the third time in the past year that the 46-year-old suspected drug dealer has been arrested by ALERT.

Dopp was arrested when a home in the South Ridge neighbourhood was searched for drugs. ALERT seized a variety of drugs, illicit prescription pills, cash, and prohibited weapons, including:

30 grams of cocaine;

1 gram of fentanyl;

5 grams of methamphetamine; and

14 grams of psilocybin.

“We recognize the impacts prolific drug traffickers can have on our city and neighbouring communities, especially when they continue to target our most vulnerable population. This investigation shows ALERT’s diligence in monitoring drug trafficking activity. We continue to follow criminal intelligence and work closely with the Medicine Hat Police Service to target repeat offenders,” said acting Staff Sgt. Curtis Neiman, ALERT Medicine Hat. 

Dopp has been charged four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, as well as three counts of breaching court order.

Dopp was previously charged in October 2023 for offences relating to trafficking fentanyl. She was charged again in connection to a separate investigation in December 2023 for possession of methamphetamine, as well as breaching her release order.  She remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on July 30, 2024.

Cody Madore, 35-years old of Medicine Hat, is also facing several drug related charges in relation to the investigation.

In Medicine Hat, members of the public who suspect drug activity can contact MHPS by calling 403-529-8481 or submitting tips online (anonymously, if preferred) via the website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app. The app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Ashley Wiebe
Digital Communications Specialist
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 780-509-3028

The Medicine Hat Police Service is requesting public assistance to further the investigation into a motor vehicle collision.

On July 18, 2024, at approximately 10:30 PM police, fire and EMS responded to a serious injury motor vehicle collision that had occurred at the intersection of Strachan Road and Shannon Dr/Spruce Way SE, Medicine Hat, AB.

When the first responders arrived on scene there were numerous individuals attempting to assist those impacted by this collision.  The MHPS is requesting that any witnesses who were first on scene, in the area at the time, or have any firsthand information regarding the motor vehicle collision to contact the Traffic Unit by email at traffic@mhps.ca.

Media Contact:
Sgt. Stacey Fishley
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8471

At about 10:30 pm, July 18, 2024, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area of Strachan Road and Shannon Dr SE in response to an injury motor vehicle collision. Police closed Strachan Road SE from 13 Avenue SE to Sprague Way SE overnight while the Traffic Unit conducted an investigation. The roads have since opened and the MHPS Traffic Unit continues to investigate the cause of the crash

There will be no further updates at this time.

The Medicine Hat Police Service will be conducting an over dimensional load escort on July 16, 2024, starting at 9:00 am.  The over dimensional load will be starting at Bromley Mechanical (925 23 Street SW) and travelling to the west Redcliff, AB limits on Highway #1. Traffic will be affected in both the East and West bound lanes on Highway #1 and in the SW Industrial area due to counterflowing of the over dimensional load.  Please avoid these areas if possible and arrange to take alternate routes, please be patient and follow all police/bylaw/pilot vehicle directions.

The MHPS Traffic Unit have cleared from the scene and traffic flow has been restored. The crash is still under investigation.  

No further details will be released at this time.