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Photo Courtesy Edmonton Police Service
Alberta

Edmonton Police Service releases further details in line of duty deaths

Mar 17, 2023 | 5:28 PM

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) says it continues to investigate the circumstances around the deaths of Constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan.

The law enforcement agency released further details regarding the tragedy during a press conference on Friday.

At approximately 12:47 a.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2023, Const. Travis Jordan and Const. Brett Ryan responded to a family dispute call in an apartment complex near 114 Avenue and 132 Street.

When the two officers arrived, EPS officials say they were met by a 55-year-old female complainant outside of the complex. The two officers then responded to the suite where she resided, along with a 73-year-old male and their 16-year-old son.

Immediately upon arriving at the suite, EPS officials say both constables were shot multiple times by the 16-year-old male, and were immediately incapacitated. A struggle reportedly ensued between the mother and son over the firearm, and the suspect shot his mother before turning the firearm on himself, taking his own life. The father was not physically injured during the shootings.

EPS says it has since been confirmed that neither officer discharged their firearm.

Following 911 calls by multiple reporters, additional police and EMS arrived. One of the injured officers was transported in a police vehicle to hospital, while the other injured officer was taken by ambulance. The female complainant was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she remains in serious but stable condition.

Soon after arriving at the hospital, EPS says both officers were declared deceased.

Edmonton police say the two officers had no indication they were walking into a high-risk or dangerous situation.

They say there was no sign the teen, who later turned the weapon on himself and died, was armed.

Police were called to the apartment by the boy’s mother, who said she had been having trouble with her son.

Police say the youth had no criminal record or outstanding warrants but was known to them through a previous mental health call.

As the 16-year-old suspect died in the presence of police, the Director of Law Enforcement was notified and directed that the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) provide oversight to the investigation being conducted by the EPS Homicide Section.

Autopsies for both officers will be conducted this weekend. The autopsy for the youth suspect is scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2023.

Information on the public portion of the funeral arrangements for the fallen officers will be released as soon as it becomes available.

(With files from the Canadian Press)