Calgary

Suspect hospitalized, rural property owner in custody after shots fired south of Calgary

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RCMP responded to a property outside of Okotoks around 5:30 a.m. Saturday

A property owner near Okotoks, Alta., is in custody after shooting an alleged thief on his property early Saturday. One of the suspects was hospitalized, the other had not been located by Saturday evening. (CBC)

One man is in hospital and a property owner is in custody after shots were fired during an alleged theft in progress early Saturday, Alberta RCMP said later in the day.

It happened near Okotoks at about 5:30 a.m., police said in a release, adding officers were on scene within minutes.

"The owner of the residence encountered two individuals rummaging through his vehicle(s). During the confrontation with the individuals, there were an unknown number of shots fired from a firearm. The suspects then fled the scene."

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Sgt. Shawn French confirmed to CBC News it was the property owner who fired the shots.

"One individual was later located with an injury to his arm and was taken to a local hospital to receive medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries. The second individual has not been located at this time. The home owner has been detained in custody pending the investigation," police said.

RCMP general investigation section in Okotoks have taken over the investigation, along with the forensic identification section.

Police are cautioning property owners to call them rather than "pursue or engage with suspicious individuals."