An impaired-driving suspect was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic stop in southwest Edmonton Thursday afternoon.

A photo taken at the scene of the shooting shows a body on the ground near a minivan. (Supplied) The officer, a six-year veteran, and the suspect both got out of their vehicles on Hollands Landing, Edmonton Police Service Deputy Chief Kevin Brezinski told a news conference Thursday afternoon.

During an encounter, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the man, Brezinski said.

EMS attended the scene and life-saving measures were attempted.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The traffic stop was at 1:43 p.m., police said.

Police believe the man has family members in Edmonton and are in the process of notifying them.

"We know very little about the victim at this time, but we do believe he has a family in Edmonton," Brezinski said.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave, he said.

Deputy Chief Kevin Brezinski speaks after a man was killed in an officer-involved shooting in southwest Edmonton on Thursday afternoon. 1:12 Before the shooting, police had received two 911 calls from citizens at 1:30 p.m. reporting a vehicle swerving all over the road, Brezinski said.

Hollands Landing is in the Hodgson neighbourhood, near 23rd Avenue and Rabbit Hill Road.

Resident Betty El-Homeira said the neighbourhood is a family-oriented neighbourhood with lots of children.

She was not home at the time, but learned from her teenaged son the shooting was right in front of her home.

Still, she said she is not alarmed.

"I don't feel threatened in my neighbourhood. I feel safe enough."

The shooting is now under investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.