2 Edmonton police officers killed while responding to domestic dispute

Two Edmonton police patrol officers were killed early Thursday morning while responding to a domestic dispute call.

CTV News Edmonton has learned that the suspect is a 16-year-old boy. He also died, according to investigators, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

An EPS spokesman said the boy shot the mother and she remained in hospital Thursday night with non-life-threatening injuries.

EPS Chief Dale McPhee called the deaths of the two West Patrol members “an unimaginable and terrible tragedy.”

Edmonton Police Chief Dale McPhee speaks about two police officers who were shot and killed while on duty in Edmonton, Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

He noted that the members, 35-year-old Const. Travis Jordan and 30-year-old Const. Brett Ryan.

Jordan served in EPS for eight and a half years and Ryan for five and a half years.

“Officers Jordan and Ryan were valued members of our EPS family and they worked side by side with us every day serving our community and I can’t tell you how devastated we are at their loss. We know their family and friends, their EPS family and our entire community will be deeply affected by this incident, but we all need to stand by each other. This is a time when we lean on and lean on each other,” said McPhee, speaking at the Edmonton Police Service’s headquarters.

FAMOUS DETAILS

As EPS was called to Edmonton’s Inglewood neighborhood shortly after midnight, the investigation into the officers’ deaths is still in its early stages.

But McPhee provided the details he said were available late Thursday morning.

Edmonton police are investigating after two officers were shot on the morning of March 16, 2023.

“This morning at approximately 12:47 a.m. our West Division Officers Jordan and Ryan responded to a domestic dispute at an apartment building near 114th Avenue and 132nd Street. After arriving, the two members of the patrol entered the building and approached the room. , and was shot by a male subject.

“At this point, all indications are that they didn’t have a chance to fire their firearms,” ​​McPhee said.

“Both members were rushed to hospital by our own members who worked bravely to save their lives en route. Unfortunately, both of them were pronounced dead at the hospital.”

He promised to release more details as they become available, but asked for the public’s patience while police investigate.

McPhee said the public is not at risk.

Yellow tape hangs in front of the Baywood Apartments in Edmonton’s Inglewood neighborhood as police investigate the scene on March 16, 2023.

“Today, even in the face of tragedy, our members are working to protect our city. This is what police officers do every day. Even when they understand the risks they face. We are grateful for their continued commitment, even in the face of tragedy.

“As the chief of police, I just want to tell you how humbled and proud we are of our members who continue to serve our community, this community in such dire circumstances.”

“REALLY CONCERNED”

As McPhee and other police and state officials spoke, the bodies of the slain officers were marched to the medical examiner’s office. EPS members helped load cars while others lined the streets. First responders escorted the motorcade.

First responders escort Edmonton Police officers Travis Jordan, 35, and Brett Ryan, 30, from the Royal Alexandra Hospital on March 16, 2023.

And dozens of police officers remained at an apartment building in Inglewood, the Baywood Apartments, which had been taped off since early morning.

One community resident told CTV News Edmonton that he was awakened by helicopters, sirens and emergency lights.

A Baywood Apartments resident told CTV News Edmonton that he didn’t hear anything overnight and was surprised to find police outside his home the morning he left for work.

“It’s scary. I am very worried about it. My child’s safety. I’ve never had this problem here,” Tom Diggle said.

“We’re trying to get out of here, out of this neighborhood, because it’s something all the time, but I’ve never seen it to this degree. It’s quite worrying.”

Crime scene tape and an Edmonton Police Department vehicle restrict access to the immediate vicinity of the Baywood Apartments near 114th Avenue and 132nd Street on March 16, 2023.

CTV News’ public safety analyst, noting that gun and gang violence is common in Canada, called the situation in Edmonton “a very sad commentary.”

“Canada is still a relatively safe country, but we have an increase in these incidents and we have to do everything we can as a country, not just the police, but everybody, to try to prevent something like this from happening again,” said Chris Lewis.

“It’s a tremendously dark day for the police service, for every man, woman, civilian in uniform who knew the officers and those who didn’t. It’s hard to describe the feeling of horror and grief going through a police agency.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Klippenstein and Nicole Lampa