Kenneth Richards, 35, was taken into custody without incident yesterday evening, Thursday, May 3, 2018, in the area of 24 Avenue and 107 Street. Richards has been charged with second-degree murder, housebreaking with intent, possess a prohibited loaded/restricted firearm, possess a prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and breach of recognizance.
Homicide detectives continue to investigate.
Since issuing a news release seeking the public’s assistance in locating Richards, police received a great deal of information from the public, ultimately leading to his arrest. The EPS would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.
There is no additional information available at this time.
Background
At approximately 1:50 p.m., Monday, April 23, 2018, Northeast Division officers responded to a weapons complaint in the area of 78 Street and 143 Avenue. It was reported to police that a male suspect, identified as Kenneth Richards, 35, allegedly broke into a residence in the area and, a short time later, a gunshot was reportedly heard.
Upon arrival officers found an injured 25-year-old female identified as Brittany Vande Lagemaat. EMS responded, treated and transported Vande Lagemaat to hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
At the time, police suspected Richards may have fled to an address in the area of 143 Avenue and 82 Street; however, he was not located. Detectives confirmed that Richards and Vande Lagemaat were known to one another.
An autopsy was conducted by the Edmonton Medical Examiner and Vande Lagemaat’s cause of death was undetermined pending further testing; however, homicide detectives deemed the manner of death to be homicide.
On Wednesday, April 25, 2018, the EPS issued a news release seeking the public’s assistance in locating Richards, who was wanted on province-wide warrants.
Every file is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS decided to release the name of the deceased as it served an investigative purpose.