The murder of two Edmonton police officers who were shot dead on duty Thursday is a terrible tragedy, says the Edmonton Police Department chief.
constant Travis Jordan, 35, and Const. Brett Ryan, 30, was killed while responding to what police described as a family dispute at an apartment complex in the city’s northwest.
The young male suspect who shot the officers is dead. A woman was also removed from the scene with serious injuries.
Police would not confirm the suspect’s age or his relationship to the injured woman. Neither the police nor the Alberta health services wanted to give an update on the condition of the woman in the hospital.
Sources have told CBC News that the suspect was 16 years old. Sources also said that the injured woman is the youth’s mother and that she was shot.
Chief Dale McFee was visibly emotional while discussing the shooting during a news conference at police headquarters.
“Today the Edmonton Police Service was struck by a truly unimaginable and terrible tragedy,” McFee said from an atrium filled with more than 100 officers and law enforcement officers.
“These two members died serving and protecting our community, and their lives and sacrifices will not be forgotten.”
McFee said Jordan and Ryan — West Division patrol officers — responded to the call around 12:47 a.m. at an apartment complex near 114th Avenue and 132nd Street.
Upon arrival, officers entered the home. As they approached the suite, they were shot dead by a young male suspect, McFee said.
“At this point, everything indicates that they did not have an opportunity to fire their firearms,” he said.
“The two members were taken to the hospital by our own members who worked valiantly to save their lives along the way. Unfortunately, they were both pronounced dead at the hospital.”
The young male suspect is also dead. Investigators believed he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, McFee said.
A woman related to the male suspect was removed from the scene with life-threatening injuries.
She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Her condition is stable, police said.
McFee said the investigation remains active and detectives are at the scene.
There is no further risk to the public, he said. Further details on the investigation will be released as they become available.
Jordan served 8½ years with the Edmonton Police Department. Ryan had 5½ years of service.
“They have worked side by side with us every day in the ministry of our community and I cannot tell you how devastated we are at their loss,” McFee said.
“These people did their job. It’s unthinkable, it’s unimaginable, it’s terrible, it’s a tragedy, but we’ll keep going because that’s what we’re doing.”
WATCH: Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee addresses the media.
The EPS Department of Employee and Family Assistance has since been called to assist the families of the deceased officers and other members of the police service.
Details of funerals and processions will be confirmed and shared with the community in the coming days, McFee said.
He said the men’s remains were made available to a police escort to the coroner’s office. He thanked the first responders who offered this service.
Police remain at the scene in the Inglewood residential area. Much of the police presence is centered around Baywood Park Apartments, where several streets remained closed to public access.
At the scene of the crime, police tape was stretched over the entrance of a building in the complex on Thursday morning. A large police car with flashing lights was parked on the street.
Several officers could be seen exiting a suite on the ground floor of the complex. The entrance to the building was cordoned off with yellow police tape. A forensics truck was stationed nearby.
condolences
News of the deaths drew condolences from police, politicians and public safety officials across the country.
“Every day police officers put themselves at risk to keep people safe,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement.
“The news that two officers were killed on duty reminds us of that reality.
“I send my condolences to the relatives and colleagues of the officers – we are here for you.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued a joint statement with Public Safety and Emergency Services Secretary Mike Ellis.
“The sudden and tragic deaths of these two Edmonton Police Service officers are a renewed reminder of the dangers police officers constantly face in keeping Albertans safe,” Smith and Ellis said in the statement.
“The province is here to support the Edmonton Police Service with this tragic loss.”
During Thursday’s Question Time, Ellis said the names of EPS officers will be added to the memorial to fallen police officers on the legislature’s south compound.
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi offered his condolences to the families of the two men, police and first responders.
“Today is a very difficult and sad day,” said Sohi.
Heavy police presence at 114th Avenue and 132nd Street
Police services in Calgary, Vancouver, the greater Toronto area and Halifax expressed their condolences on Twitter.
Michael Gendron, a spokesman for the Canadian Police Association, said members were heartbroken.
“We send our sincere condolences and prayers to everyone who is grieving the loss of friends and colleagues today, and especially to their families at this tragic time,” Gendron wrote on social media.
Edmonton Police Staff Sgt. Mike Elliott, a former president of the Edmonton Police Association, said he was devastated by the news.
“No words can describe what our members do [and] Your families feel at this moment. Our entire ministry and community is in mourning,” Elliott wrote in a social media post.
The last Edmonton police officer to be killed on duty was Const. Daniel Woodall, who was shot dead on June 8, 2015.
Woodall, a hate crimes investigator, was killed by Norman Raddatz, 42, while trying to arrest Raddatz on criminal harassment charges at his West Edmonton home. A second officer was injured but survived.
Woodall’s widow, Claire Woodall, said she was heartbroken to learn two officers had been shot dead on duty. She said she hugged her children tightly after learning of the deaths.
In a statement, she offered her support to the grieving families.
“It understandably brought back painful memories,” she said. “I am saddened to believe that the families of the fallen officers will share the same sentiments again today.”
