Medicine Hat Police saying it’s fortunate two seasoned officers were able to diffuse a situation Wednesday afternoon as it had a high risk of becoming a lethal confrontation.
An officer was at an apartment complex intending to speak with someone about a minor complaint when he noticed a man in the parking lot holding a hand gun and manipulating it as if he was trying to put a round in the chamber.
The officer drew his weapon and called out for the man to drop the gun but those commands were ignored and the man started walking toward him while stuffing the gun into his waistband.
The man stumbled and fell and reached for the gun in his waistband as a second officer arrived on scene.
Though he resisted arrest, the man was taken into custody and the handgun was found to be a replica.
Medicine Hat Police say the suspect was under the influence of alcohol and possibly drugs.