At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 29, 2020, police received multiple reports of gunshots heard in the area of 38 Avenue and 78 Street. After officers arrived, they heard a second volley of shots, and police established containment on a residence to which the suspects were believed to have fled.
At that time, police learned of a female who had been struck by a stray bullet while asleep in her bed in a nearby residence. With the assistance of EPS Tactical Section and an armoured rescue vehicle, she was extracted safely and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. She was not known to the suspects. In total, four homes were struck by bullets, though no one else was injured.
Four people were arrested in the residence police had contained. At the time, a search warrant on the address resulted in the seizure of a loaded SKS rifle with a prohibited magazine, another magazine containing five cartridges, and several loose cartridges. The four individuals are now being formally charged with a variety of offences following the conclusion of the investigation in November 2020.
“These firearms investigations are often lengthy and complex. We rely on ballistic and forensic evidence analysis that takes time for results, not to mention the numerous interviews and search warrants that are needed in many of these files we handle,” says Sgt. Eric Stewart with the EPS Firearms Investigation Unit. “We are grateful to the RCMP for their assistance in bringing this file to conclusion.”
Following ballistic and forensic analysis by the RCMP laboratory, EPS has charged two men and one woman with 14 offences:
- Antonio Crane, 28, faces eight charges including causing bodily harm by criminal negligence and firearms-related offences.
- Ferlin Rowan, 24 faces four charges including causing bodily harm by criminal negligence and firearms-related offences.
- Sara Brertton, 30 faces two firearms-related charges.
Nikosis Stevenson, 24
A third male, Nikosis Stevenson, 24 is wanted on ten outstanding warrants, including causing bodily harm by criminal negligence and multiple firearms-related charges.
Police encourage anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.