Suspect in 2023 West Edmonton Mall shooting arrested in Northwest Territories
Posted January 15, 2025 9:04 am.
Last Updated January 15, 2025 9:14 am.
A man wanted Canada wide for his alleged involvement in the West Edmonton Mall shooting that injured three people in August 2023 has been arrested.
Police say Leron Andrew John, 24, one of Canada’s most-wanted fugitives, was arrested in the Northwest Territories.
Edmonton police say they are working with authorities in the NWT to “execute his warrants.”
On Aug. 21, 2023, one of the largest malls in North America was locked down for two hours – with frightened shoppers still inside – after a shooting in the parking lot.
Police say a group of suspects waited in a vehicle in the parking lot for four individuals to emerge from the mall before opening fire on them. Authorities have said it was a targeted shooting.
Two of the targeted men ran into the West Edmonton Mall, according to police – one into the Wild West shooting range and another through the mall. Three of the men involved were hit by bullets and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers later recovered a handgun inside the mall.
Authorities say multiple civilian vehicles were struck, including one five blocks away in a residential area near playgrounds and a school.
John was wanted on charges of discharging a firearm with intent; reckless discharging of a firearm; possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition; and altering the serial number of a firearm. He also had several additional warrants for his arrest in connection with firearm and drug incidents in Fort Resolution, NWT.
John featured in the 16th spot on the Bolo Program’s latest list of Canada’s top-25 fugitives, which was published last month. No reward was offered by Bolo in this case.
