Police investigating fatal collision

EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is investigating a fatal collision that occurred this afternoon in south Edmonton.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. today, January 2, 2021, a collision occurred at the intersection of Ellerslie Road and Rabbit Hill Road. A left turning minivan driven by a 73-year-old female struck a southbound SUV driven by a 44-year-old female.

EMS treated and transported the 39-year-old male passenger of the minivan to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the SUV was taken to hospital for precautionary measures and released. No other injuries were reported.

MCIS is investigating the collision. Speed and alcohol are not considered factors in the collision.

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.

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Police seek public's assistance locating missing woman

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 30-year-old woman.

Billie Wynell Johnson, 30, was last seen in the area of 113 Street and 107 Avenue on the evening of December 24, 2020. She was reported missing to police on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020.

Johnson has dark hair, stands 5’7” tall and weighs approximately 140 lbs. She has a flower tattoo on her left clavicle and a tattoo down her forearm that says “Gianna.” She was last seen wearing tan hiking boots, black pants, a grey or blue FILA sweater, and carrying a small black Adidas tote bag with white writing.

Johnson’s disappearance is out of character and is being considered suspicious at this time. Police are looking for any information regarding her whereabouts, including dashcam or other surveillance video.

Missing: Billie Wynell Johnson, 30 

FILA sweater Johnson was last seen wearing

Anyone with information regarding Johnson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS immediately at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250. 

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Police seek public's assistance identifying suspect in recent stabbing

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male suspect allegedly involved in a recent stabbing on a transit bus in central Edmonton.

At approximately 8:35 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, Northwest Division officers were called to the report of a stabbing on a transit bus in the area of 112 Avenue and 95 Street.

It was reported to police that a male stabbed a passenger after attempting to steal the passenger’s backpack. The suspect then exited the bus and fled the area on foot.

EMS responded, treated and transported the 55-year-old male passenger to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries where he remains in stable condition. No other injuries were reported.

The suspect and passenger were not known to one another.

Officers continue to investigate and are releasing photos of the alleged suspect in hopes that someone may recognize him. Investigators also wish to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, including any passengers who were on the bus at the time but left the area prior to police arrival.

Male suspect

The suspect is described as an Indigenous male in his mid-20s, approximately 5’8” tall and 210 lbs. He was last seen wearing a black sweater with red draw strings and a red-lined hood, grey sweatpants with “Crooks” on the pant leg, grey running shoes and a black puffy jacket.

Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

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EPS now recruiting for new Nîsohkamâkewin Council

The Edmonton Police Service is forming a new Indigenous advisory council and is seeking community members to work together on systemic changes to policing.

 

‘Nîsohkamâkewin’ is Cree for ‘the act of helping,’ and the new Nîsohkamâkewin Council will help EPS address the inequities and barriers Indigenous peoples face, and develop and implement the best policing practices to address those challenges.   

 

The council will be advising on the implementation of policing recommendations from several national reports such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

 

EPS has committed to implementing these recommendations, which will impact numerous areas of the police service including Missing Persons, Historical Homicide, Human Trafficking and Exploitation, Crime and Trauma Informed Support Services, and the Training Section.

 

“These recommendations are taken from a national context, and the council will help apply a localized understanding of how these recommendations will aid Indigenous-police relations within Edmonton,” says Andrea Levey, EPS Indigenous Equity Advisor.  “Together, we will build a plan forward to address the gaps and make systemic change, and the Indigenous community members and partners will determine the success and legitimacy of the work being done for these recommendations.” 

 

The new Nîsohkamâkewin Council will replace the previous EPS Indigenous Liaison Committee, and be guided by Indigenous community members with a diverse range of voices, perspectives and experiences.  

 

“It is imperative to have Indigenous voices in the process of making decisions regarding Indigenous people in any capacity,” says Christie Pace, Program Manager with Bent Arrow.  “The council will keep the Edmonton Police accountable to the recommendations that make the most sense for our people, and it will also help us build and maintain relationships that are crucial to policing Indigenous people and the community as a whole.”

 

Indigenous-identifying individuals who have experience with Indigenous culture, human rights and anti-racism work are encouraged to apply for the Nîsohkamâkewin Council.  

 

Applicants can direct letters of interest to Andrea Levey, EPS Indigenous Equity Advisor, at Nisohkamakewin@edmontonpolice.ca.  All applications will be reviewed by an Indigenous panel.  The deadline for applications is Jan. 31, 2021.

 

Additional information on the Nîsohkamâkewin Council is available at www.edmontonpolice.ca.

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Two males charged in firearms trafficking investigation

The Edmonton Police Service has charged two men and seized multiple firearms and ammunition rounds following a three-month long gun trafficking investigation.

In late September 2020, the EPS received information that a male was selling a prohibited firearm. It was reported to police that the male was advertising the prohibited gun on a local online buy and sell website frequently used to sell firearms. Following a lengthy investigation by the EPS Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU), police determined that an organized criminal network was illegally obtaining firearms and ammunition and trafficking them to others online and in-person. In some cases, the firearms were “straw purchased” which occurs when an individual with a valid firearms license purchases a firearm for those who cannot lawfully purchase firearms for themselves.

On Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, FIU investigators, with assistance from the St. Paul RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, executed search warrants at two residences in Saddle Lake, Alberta. At the conclusion of the investigation, FIU seized nine firearms and 10 prohibited magazines. Both males were also taken into custody without incident.

“This particular case illustrates how firearms can be illegally obtained in a number of ways, including via firearms trafficking and straw purchasing, and are often sold in areas well beyond where they were originally sourced,” says Sgt. Eric Stewart with FIU. “There are no boundaries to firearms trafficking, and once the firearms enter the illegal market, they can be trafficked numerous times in numerous jurisdictions until seized by police.”

“It is imperative that we continue to target firearms trafficking and remove these guns off the streets and hold those responsible,” says Supt. Mark Hancock of Eastern Alberta District RCMP. “This is a great example of how intelligence-led investigations, collaboration and partnerships lead to successful arrests.

“Keeping our communities safe is a top priority for the RCMP in Alberta.”

Police have since charged Keano Gadwa, 22, and Ian Cardinal, 30, both of Saddle Lake, with a total of 15 firearms related offences including, firearms trafficking, firearm possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition and unauthorized possession of a prohibited device/magazine. Both suspects are known to police and additional arrests and charges are pending.

The following items were seized during the investigation:

• Gold painted DPMS, Panther Arms, 223/556mm AR-15
• Black semi-automatic SKS rifle, chambered in 7.62 x 39 caliber
• Brown painted semi-automatic Kodiak Defence WK180C, chambered in .223 Remington
• Black semi-automatic HiPoint 995 Carbine, chambered in 9mm with pistol grip and scope
• Black Kel Tec SU16 Tactical Rifle
• Two Spector LTD, WS-MCR, semi-automatic rifle, chambered in .223 caliber
• Lockhart Tactical, FD12, bullpup semi-automatic, 12-gauge shotgun
• Winchester .22 rifle
• Numerous rounds of ammunition representative of the calibers of the trafficked firearms
  
  

Between January 1, 2020 and Dec. 21, 2020, the EPS has responded to a total of 154 shootings and has seized 1014 firearms (not including airsoft guns).

“Firearms trafficking undoubtedly contributes to the violence we are seeing in our city and communities across the province,” says Staff Sgt. Pierre Blais with the EPS Drug & Gang Enforcement Section. “We are hopeful that our continued focus on firearms trafficking with our law enforcement partners provincewide will help to make communities across Alberta a safer place to live.”

The EPS Firearms Investigation Unit would like to thank the St. Paul RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, the RCMP Emergency Response Team, the Vegreville RCMP and numerous members at the EPS for their assistance with this investigation.

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Male charged following hate-motivated incident in central Edmonton

 The Edmonton Police Service has arrested and charged a 38-year-old man in connection with a hate-motivated incident that took place on Wednesday morning in central Edmonton.

At approximately 10:10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, Northwest Division Beat officers responded to an assault at a residence in the Parkdale neighbourhood.

It was reported to police that a Black male was walking on a residential street near his home when another male, who was yelling racially-motivated obscenities, approached him and pushed him without provocation. Fearing for his safety, the complainant reportedly ran away; however, the male, who was uttering death threats, gave chase, followed him to the backyard of his residence and assaulted him.

Northwest Division Beat officers who were in the area on an unrelated matter witnessed the chase and drove to the area to assist. Thanks to a witness, officers quickly located the residence, intervened in the assault and took the male suspect into custody.

EMS attended the scene and treated the 48-year-old male complainant for non-life threatening injuries.

The male complainant and the suspect are not known to one another.

Joseph Gladue, 38, is charged with uttering death threats and assault causing bodily harm. EPS Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism Unit is also recommending that Section 718.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada be applied in this case, allowing the courts to consider increased sentencing when there is evidence the offence was motivated by hatred.

Please note, this incident is not connected to either of the recent hate-motivated incidents that occurred in southwest Edmonton earlier this month.

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Homicide section investigating death of child

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 6, 2020, police responded to a residence in southeast Edmonton after it was reported that a 2-year-old male child was found to be in medical distress. EMS treated and transported the boy to the Stollery Children’s Hospital, where he later succumbed to injuries.

An autopsy was completed on Dec. 7, 2020. The manner of death has been confirmed to be homicide. Cause of death is not being released for investigative reasons.

As detectives continue to investigate this death, no further information is available at this time.

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