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A suspect in a strip mall shootout with police that left a man dead and an officer injured has been charged and linked by CPS to two other recent gunplay incidents in the city.
On Wednesday at about 2:40 p.m. police, including tactical team members, attempted to arrest two men in the parking lot of a strip mall in the 5700 block of Falsbridge Drive N.E.
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An exchange of gunfire followed, with one suspect killed and a police officer suffering minor gunshot wounds.
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Police took a second suspect into custody at the scene.
But police say that fatal encounter was preceded by two shooting incidents dating back to Sept. 30 when a motorist reported the occupants of two vehicles westbound on Glenmore Trail near 37 Street S.W. trading gunfire.
No injuries were reported and both vehicles fled the scene.
A half-hour later, officers were called to the 100 block of Seton Passage S.E. where one man had been shot while exiting his vehicle, before being taken to hospital in serious condition.
“It is believed the suspect fired multiple rounds during the shooting in Seton, with stray bullets striking four surrounding residences, before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle,” police said in a press release Thursday.
“It is believed both the offenders and victim were associated to organized crime gangs and that the victim was targeted due to this conflict.”
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Because of the threat posed by the suspects involved, police deployed their tactical unit to conduct Wednesday’s arrest in Falconridge, which ended with a suspect dead and an 11-year CPS officer injured.
A loaded handgun was found in the surviving suspect’s possession.
Two additional loaded handguns were seized Thursday after police executed a search warrant on the suspect’s vehicle.
Charged with attempted murder, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and several firearms offences including possession of a restricted firearm contrary to a prohibition order is Thanh Nguyen, 25, of Calgary.
His next appearance in court is scheduled for Oct. 27.
Police say their investigation is continuing.
And they once again implored the community to report any incidents or activity involving firearms by calling them at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
BKaufmann@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BillKaufmannjrn
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