Since Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, police have responded to 10 shootings across the city, including five shootings over the long weekend: two shootings on Saturday, Sept. 3 near Whyte Avenue; a shooting at a transit terminal in west Edmonton and a shooting in a north Edmonton parking lot on Sunday, Sept. 4; and a shooting at a north Edmonton restaurant on Monday, Sept. 5. Eight of the 10 shootings resulted in serious injuries, though thankfully everyone is expected to survive.
Officers continue to investigate all 10 shootings, with charges pending in one of the events that took place near Whyte Avenue over the weekend. Currently, investigators believe all the shootings were targeted events, though the safety risk was considerable in several of the incidents due to their public locations. Officers continue to investigate if any of the shootings are linked.
“Calls involving firearms often require a significant number of police resources, including a larger officer response,” says Staff Sergeant Eric Stewart with the Guns & Gangs Section of the Organized Crime Branch. “Potential loss of life, serious injury and overall public safety are our number one concerns in these situations. We are incredibly fortunate that no lives were lost this past week.”
To date this year (Sept. 5, 2022), the EPS has responded to 105 shootings, of which 53% resulted in injury and 63% had the potential for innocent bystanders to be injured. As of Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, the EPS seized approximately 452 firearms.
“Outside of the initial police response, investigating shootings can be a lengthy process, often taking several months to complete,” says Stewart. “These investigations also often tie up multiple investigators from various areas of the service, which ultimately impacts the time we can dedicate to investigating other crimes.”
Over the weekend in particular, EPS resources were severely impacted, with the Saturday and Sunday shootings tying up a significant number of officers in west, northwest and south Edmonton. Officers from other areas of the city were subsequently called in to assist.
“Service levels were certainly impacted this weekend because of these shootings,” says Staff Sergeant Stewart. “When we see a sudden spike in violence, maintaining adequate service levels and targeted response times becomes increasingly challenging and we do our best to shift our resources accordingly.”
Items noted here do not include other violent incidents that EPS responded to over this time period.
Background - Shootings
Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022
At approximately 3:40 a.m. Northwest Branch Patrol responded to the report of a gun shot at a multi-unit residence in the area of 164 Avenue and 109 Street. It was reported that a shot was fired through an apartment door into a suite. No one was injured and officers continue to investigate.
Monday, Aug. 29, 2022
At approximately 8:30 a.m. Southwest Branch Patrol officers responded to a weapon complaint in the area of Cautley Crescent SW. It was reported to police that a male had been shot. Upon arrival, officers learned the male was on his way to hospital in a private vehicle. A short time later, police were asked to attend a hotel in the area of 104 Street and 100 Avenue where the male was located and subsequently transported to hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. Officers continue to investigate.
Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022
At approximately 4 p.m. Northwest Branch Patrol officers were called to a local hospital regarding a male who attended with a gunshot wound. It was reported to police that the male was at a party earlier in the day when a firearm was dropped and discharged. Officers continue to investigate.
At approximately 11:35 p.m. West Branch Patrol members responded to a weapons complaint at a hotel in the area of 153 Street and 111 Avenue. It was reported to police that a male had been shot in the area. Upon arrival, officers located a 31-year-old male with gunshot wounds. The male was transported to hospital by EMS with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect(s) reportedly fled prior to police arrival. Officers continue to investigate.
Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022
At 5:30 a.m. Downtown Branch Patrol members were called to a local hospital regarding a male who arrived with gunshot wounds. The shooting reportedly took place along 107 Avenue and 116 Street, where the complainant had been skateboarding prior to being shot. He was in critical but stable condition at the time. Police continue to investigate.
Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022
At approximately 3 a.m., Southwest Branch Patrol officers responded to the report of a shooting in the area of 82 Avenue and 104 Street. A woman in her 20s was reportedly shot and transported to hospital in a private vehicle. The woman sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital in stable condition. Investigators have not arrested anyone in relation to this incident.
While police were on scene conducting their investigation into the shooting, officers witnessed a confrontation between a man in his 20s and a group of people. Police witnessed the man in his 20s discharge a firearm toward the group; though thankfully no one was injured. Police arrested the shooter on scene and seized the firearm. Charges are currently pending.
Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022
At approximately 6:45 a.m., West Branch Patrol officers responded to the area of 156 Street and 100 Avenue for the report a male being shot at a transit centre. Upon arrival, police administered first aid and assisted EMS with a transport to hospital. The male’s injuries were life-threatening at the time. Officers continue to investigate.
At 10:19 p.m., Northwest Branch Patrol responded to a weapons complaint in the area of 115 Street and 153 Avenue. On arrival, officers located an injured 18-year-old male in the parking lot. He was transported to the hospital by EMS with life-threatening injuries. He was in stable but serious condition at the time.
Monday, Sept. 5, 2022
At 12:33 a.m., Northeast Branch Patrol responded to the report of a shooting in progress at a restaurant in the area of 108 Street and Castledowns Rd. It was reported that multiple rounds were fired inside and outside of the restaurant, striking one male victim. The suspect(s) fled prior to police arrival. One 25-year-old male was transported to hospital where he remains in stable condition.
Anyone with information about any of the shootings is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #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.