A 16-year-old fatally shot his mother and then killed two police officers before taking his own life in western Canada early Thursday, authorities told The Associated Press.
A police official and a senior government official said a male suspect shot and wounded his mother in Edmonton, Alberta. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
Earlier, Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee said two officers were shot and killed when they arrived at the apartment building during a domestic dispute call around 12:47 p.m. He said there was no indication the officers were able to burn.
Jason Franson /The Canadian Press via AP
McFee said other officers dispatched to the residence found the young man dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had said the shooter and the woman were related without saying how or the suspect’s age.
According to the chief, the woman was in critical condition when she was taken to the hospital, but was later listed in serious but stable condition.
McFee identified the dead officers as Travis Jordan, 35, who had been with the Edmonton force for 8 1/2 years, and Brett Ryan, 30, an officer for 5 1/2 years.
“This is a very tragic day for Edmonton police and our city,” McFee said in a statement. “These officers gave their lives trying to protect our community. They will never be forgotten.”
Ellis said the officers’ names will be added to the fallen police memorial at the discretion of the Legislature, the CBC reported.
Ryan will be remembered as a pillar of the community and a longtime hockey referee.
Darcy Carter of the Spruce Grove Minor Hockey Association said the officer and his wife are expecting a child.
Ryan was a paramedic before becoming a police officer and was passionate about his work in law enforcement, Carter said. “It’s something I’ll never forget…just his face lit up when he talked about his work.”
Jordan was remembered for his kindness.
Jessica Shmigelsky said she was driving to work after a heavy snowfall in the spring of 2020 and was pulled over by Jordan because her snow blower wasn’t working. But instead of giving him a ticket, he cleared his ride, she said.
“He did his job, and he did more than what his job actually entailed,” Shmigelsky said.
Ryan and Jordan were remembered with a moment of silence before the Stars and Oilers hockey game in Edmonton Thursday night with their photos on the scoreboard.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his condolences and support for officers’ loved ones and colleagues.
“Every day, police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep people safe. The news of the deaths of two Edmonton police officers in the line of duty reminds us of this reality,” Trudeau wrote.
The killings are the first for the Edmonton Police Department since 2015, when hate crime investigator Constable Daniel Woodall was shot multiple times while using assault to gain entry to an apartment. Another officer, Sgt. Jason Harley was hit by a round that pierced his armor but survived.
On Thursday, Woodall’s widow Claire Woodall offered her condolences to the families of Ryan and Jordan, the CBC reported.
“It has understandably brought back painful memories,” he said. “I am saddened to think that these same feelings share the families of the fallen officers again today.”
Before Woodall’s death, Officer Ezio Faraone was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery in 1990.