Arrest in high-profile case of teen who shot police officers
Weapons trafficking charges have been filed.
In the city of Edmonton, charges have been laid against a man who sold a firearm to a 16-year-old. This trial will follow a sad and high-profile case: in March 2023, the boy shot his mother, two police officers and shot himself.
Chronology of events
On March 16, 2023, Edmonton police officers responded to a call for a domestic dispute. Two officers, 35-year-old Travis Jordan and 30-year-old Brett Ryan, arrived in the Inglewood neighborhood where they were shot by a 16-year-old juvenile. He then got into a struggle with his mother, which resulted in the young man shooting her as well. The shooter eventually took his own life.
Both police officers died of their wounds at the hospital, and the boy's mother survived. A week later, law enforcement learned that a few days earlier, on March 12, the same teen had shot a pizza parlor employee across the street. The victim survived and recovered.
Who has been charged
Investigators found that the firearm the teen fired was originally purchased legally in Edmonton, but was owned by "more than one" person. Authorities are convinced the person who sold the firearm is guilty:
"In my 20 years in this career, this is one of the most complex and tragic investigations I've ever been involved with," Gang Unit Sgt. Eric Stewart told reporters Wednesday afternoon. "A 16-year-old should never have been able to get his hands on a gun and it's heartbreaking that the trafficking of this rifle to this youth has led to multiple deaths and life-altering injuries."
On Nov. 23, police arrested 19-year-old Dennis Okeimow, who was personally acquainted with the shooter. A search of his person revealed a stolen loaded handgun, ammunition, illegal drugs and $10,000 CAD. On November 29, it was learned that he was charged with manslaughter, criminal negligence, and trafficking, possession of firearms and ammunition.
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