Man charged in connection to drive-by shooting in southeast Edmonton

Edmonton police have charged a 20-year-old in connection to a drive-by shooting in the Laurel neighbourhood last week.

EPS says just before 11 p.m. on Oct. 19, while conducting an investigation within the Laurel neighbourhood, officers observed a white SUV drive by a home near Mabuhay Park and fire multiple gunshots at homes.

The officers activated their lights and sirens and pursued the SUV throughout the neighbourhood.

“The SUV eventually stopped in the area of 30 Street and 15 Avenue. As police approached, a male suspect stepped out of the passenger side of the SUV and pointed a firearm at the officer who was in his vehicle at the time,” said police in a statement.

Following this, the SUV fled the scene and the suspect who left the vehicle fled on foot.

With help from Air 1, officers were able to quickly locate the suspect on the run and take them into custody. Police note that a handgun was found nearby with the serial number defaced.

Police say no one was injured in the shooting, adding they do believe it was targeted.

“We believe this was a targeted event and it was certainly a close call for our officer and for residents in the community,” says Staff Sgt. Eric Stewart with the EPS Guns and Gangs Section. “Shootings like this remain a significant public safety concern that we are working diligently to address, and we are thankful that there were no injuries or loss of life that evening.”

The 20-year-old has since been charged with pointing a firearm, careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, recklessly discharging a firearm, tampering with a serial number, mischief and failure to comply with an order.

EPS is still looking for the SUV and the others who were in it at the time of the shooting.

The SUV has been described as a newer model white Mitsubishi SUV.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact investigators at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.