Arabnews24.ca:Friday 1 January 2021 01:37 PM: Calgary police have issued first-degree murder warrants for two men in the death of Sgt. Andrew Harnett.
Harnett died on New Year's Eve after police said he was struck by the vehicle of a driver trying to flee a traffic stop.
Amir Abdulrahman, 19, and a 17-year-old youth are both sought in connection with the officer's death. Police allege the youth was driving the vehicle that struck and killed Harnett.
The Calgary Police Service said the incident occurred around 10:50 p.m. Thursday in the area of Falconridge Boulevard and Falconridge Drive N.E.
- Watch live here at 11:30 MT as Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld and Calgary Police Association President John Orr discuss the death of Sgt. Andrew Harnett
"During the traffic stop, the vehicle fled, striking the officer in the process," police said in a statement.
Nearby officers rushed to the struck officer's aid as quickly as possible, and were joined by paramedics.
"Despite desperate attempts by his colleagues, and members of EMS, he died as a result of his injuries" in hospital around midnight, the statement said.
Police said they are searching for a copper-coloured 2006 Infiniti FX with a small spare tire on the front passenger side. The vehicle also has noticeable hail damage.
"There is a massive effort underway to locate and bring to justice those responsible for taking the life of one of our members," reads an update from police issued Friday morning.
"Dozens of sworn and civilian members are working around the clock tracking down each and every lead and these efforts will not stop."
Harnett, 37, joined the service 12 years ago after serving as a military police officer and was promoted to sergeant in 2019.
He is the 12th officer to be killed in the history of the Calgary Police Service, dating back to 1878. The last officer who lost his life while on duty was Const. Darren Beatty, who died in 2001 during a training exercise.
"The profound grief this has brought to all members of the Calgary Police Service and their families is unmeasurable," police said in a statement.
