Teenage suspect in officers’ deaths was known to police but did not have criminal record: EPS

Edmonton police say the teenager who allegedly shot and killed two officers Thursday morning was previously known to police, though he was never charged with a crime.

The Edmonton Police Service says the 16-year-old suspect was known in a non-criminal nature and did not have a criminal record.

Police say one of the previous incidents involving the suspect was categorized as a mental-health complaint, confirming EPS officers had previously attended the address.

Edmonton police provided the new details Friday afternoon in the investigation into the deaths of Constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan.

Around 12:47 a.m. Thursday, police say Jordan and Ryan responded to a family dispute call at an apartment complex near 114 Avenue and 132 Street.

Const. Brett Ryan (left) and Const. Travis Jordan (right). (Photos Courtesy: Edmonton Police Service)

Police say the 55-year-old mother placed the call to police because of difficulties with her son. The call reportedly did not contain any information about a weapon, and it was not categorized as a high-threat situation as a result, police said.

EPS confirmed when the officers got to the complex, they were met by the mother outside the complex.

“The two officers then responded to the suite where she resided, along with a 73-year-old male and their 16-year-old son,” said Deputy Chief Devin Laforce.

Son, mother struggled for weapon 

Before arriving at the door to the suite, police say both constables were shot multiple times though did not reveal exactly how many shots were fired.

Jordan and Ryan, who were both wearing their body armours, did not enter the apartment and did not discharge their weapons.

“They had no opportunity to respond to the threat that faced them. It is consistent with an ambush,” said Laforce.

Police say a struggle then ensued between the mother and the son over the gun. During the struggle, the teen shot the mother, before shooting himself.

Edmonton police say the mother was taken to a hospital by ambulance, where she remains in serious but stable condition. She remained unresponsive by Friday afternoon.

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One of the officers was taken to a hospital in a police vehicle. The other injured officer was taken by ambulance. Not long after arriving at the hospital, both officers were declared dead.

The father was confirmed to be at the scene at the time, and was not injured during the shootings. Police have confirmed he is cooperating with the investigation.

EPS says there was no knowledge about a weapon ahead of time – the circumstances around the weapon are now being investigated.

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 17, 2023

During Friday’s press conference, police did not comment on the type of gun that was used. He couldn’t say what type of gun was used, if it had been legally registered or how many shots were fired.

Laforce said the shooting is not considered to have been ideologically motivated.

He said police are investigating if there is a link between the shooting and another one Sunday at a nearby pizza restaurant. An employee was shot and taken to hospital with serious life-threatening injuries. Police were still looking for a suspect in that shooting.

Laforce said investigators are aware of the proximity of the two shootings and but had no other details.

The Director of Law Enforcement and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) are providing oversight into the investigation.

Autopsies for both officers will be conducted this weekend. The autopsy for the suspect is scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 22.

Information on the public portion of the funeral arrangements for the fallen officers will be released as soon as it becomes available.

—With files from The Canadian Press