Media Releases

Autopsy complete in west Edmonton shooting death

20 Oct 2026 19:45:00 UT

An autopsy has been completed in relation to the death of 28-year-old Justin Hunt following a west Edmonton shooting last week.

At approximately 8:27 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, West Branch patrol officers responded to a reported shooting near 160 Street and 118 Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located Hunt who was suffering from life-threatening injuries. EMS responded; however, Hunt succumbed to his injuries on scene.

On Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, the Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy and determined Hunt died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death was homicide.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, investigators issued a news release outlining the arrest of three adult males and seeking video footage of a vehicle linked to the shooting that resulted in Hunt’s death.

EPS Homicide Section continues to investigate but is not currently seeking any additional suspects.

Police lay charges in February homicide

20 Oct 2026 17:10:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a 48-year-old man in relation to the death of a woman found inside a residence that caught fire in February.

At approximately 5:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) responded to a residential fire in the area of 93 Street and 105 Avenue. During their fire investigation, EFRS located a deceased female inside the residence and contacted police.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, and determined that the adult female died as a result of gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma. The manner of death was homicide. The female, who had not been identified at the time of autopsy, has since been confirmed to be 39-year-old Teresa Katcheech.

On Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, EPS Homicide detectives arrested and charged Cory Wiltzen, 48, with second degree murder, indignity to human remains and arson in relation to Katcheech’s death. Wiltzen and Katcheech were known to one another but were not believed to be in an intimate partner relationship.

Police are not searching for any additional suspects.

Five charged in national online drug trafficking operation

19 Oct 2026 18:54:48 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged five individuals from Edmonton in relation to a national online drug trafficking ring.

Between March 2024 and January 2025, the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement Unit (EDGE) investigated an online organization operating under the brand “BlueBuddhaCo”. The EPS learned that the organization functioned on a national scale, shipping approximately 8,700 packages of drugs across Canada while laundering proceeds through banking systems and cryptocurrency platforms.

The organization was advertised as an online illicit drug delivery service, promoting fast and secure nationwide shipping for a wide selection of controlled substances, including cocaine, MDMA, LSD, GHB and methamphetamine. As such, the extensive investigation involved assistance from policing partners across Canada, including the RCMP and Ottawa Police Service.

Search warrants were executed in January 2025 and revealed multiple storage and distribution locations in the city, including central Edmonton and the Hollick-Kenyon and Schonsee neighbourhoods. Police located controlled substances, drug-processing and packaging equipment, digital scales and shipping supplies.

Police estimate the street value of the drugs seized is approximately $224,000 and that this criminal organization received approximately $1.98 million through e‑transfer deposits.

Photo of drugs seized

In February 2026, the following individuals were charged with a total of 133 criminal offences including organized crime, trafficking, money laundering and proceeds of crime:

Melvin Yong, 33
Dung Nguyen, 66
Gary Tan, 43
Mila Then, 35
Kevin Leung-Wan, 33

“This investigation exposed a well-organized criminal enterprise that distributed controlled substances across Canada while attempting to conceal millions of dollars in criminal proceeds,” says Staff Sergeant Jennifer McCann with the EPS’ Drug and Gang Enforcement Unit. “The complexity of this operation demanded a sustained, intelligence-led investigation involving extensive financial analysis, digital evidence and interagency collaboration.”

Police will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute the people behind these types of online operations. Members of the public are encouraged to report any related websites or advertisements by taking a screenshot and contacting the EPS non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or by visiting a police station.

The EPS would like to remind Edmontonians that any medication not prescribed by a medical professional is not safe to ingest and can pose significant risk to a person’s health and safety.

Police lay charges, seek video footage in west Edmonton shooting death

17 Oct 2026 23:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) have charged three adult males in relation to a death following a shooting that took place Friday morning in west Edmonton.

At approximately 8:27 a.m., on Friday, October 16, 2026, West Branch patrol officers responded to a reported shooting near 160 Street and 118 Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located Justin Hunt, 28, suffering from life-threatening injuries.

EMS responded; however, Mr. Hunt succumbed to his injuries on scene. An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.

Shortly thereafter, the suspect vehicle was observed west of Edmonton. With the assistance of the Parkland RCMP, the vehicle was stopped on Highway 16 in the area of Range Road 20, and three adult males were taken into custody.

Wol Akuei, 21, John Morris, 20, and John Ocwalla, 19, have since been remanded and are charged with first-degree murder. Ocwalla is also facing an additional charge of accessory after the fact to murder. Police believe this was a targeted incident.

EPS Homicide Section continues to investigate and is seeking dashcam or CCTV video footage of the suspect vehicle (pictured below) between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16 in the following locations:

118 Avenue and 160 Street,
Yellowhead Trail between 170 Street and Hwy 60, and
Hwy 60 from Yellowhead Trail to Garden Valley Road

The vehicle is a dark grey BMW 325i sedan and has notable damage to its
rear driver fender and driver side taillight. Additionally, the licence plate was attached by one screw and was hanging at an angle.

Suspect vehicle

Anyone with information about this shooting or the suspect vehicle 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.

The EPS would like to thank Parkland RCMP for their assistance with this investigation.

During Pedestrian Safety Month's "Operation 24 Hours," police issue 634 traffic violations

16 Oct 2026 21:31:15 UT

Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers and City of Edmonton automated enforcement issued a total of 634 traffic violations during the most recent Operation 24 Hours.

The violations were issued over a 24-hour period on October 9, 2026. Of the total traffic violations:

183 were for speeding
31 were for distracted driving
61 were hazardous moving violations
284 were non-hazardous Traffic Safety Act infractions (e.g. equipment or document related)
70 were automated red light violations

In addition, five Criminal Code driving charges, including impaired driving and disqualified driving, were laid as a result of vehicle stops during this time.

Six vehicles were clocked doing 50 or more km/h over the speed limit, including one driver caught travelling 199 km/h on Anthony Henday Drive near Yellowhead Drive. The 32-year-old male driver was issued a mandatory court summons for speeding and careless driving.

Police are also investigating two major injury collisions involving pedestrians that occurred on October 9, one at 23 Avenue and 110 Street, where a Mazda operated by a 73-year-old female struck another vehicle, causing it to ricochet into an 85-year-old male pedestrian, who suffered broken bones. The other collision occurred at 34 Street and 43 Avenue, where a BMW operated by a 20-year-old male ran a red light and struck two pedestrians, a 33-year-old female and a 35-year-old male, sending both pedestrians to hospital with serious injuries.

“October is Pedestrian Safety Month, and sadly, we have seen a number of pedestrians seriously injured and even tragically killed in recent weeks,” says Staff Sergeant Mike Wasylyshen, with the EPS’ Specialized Traffic Section. “There is no excuse for speeding, distracted driving or other high-risk behaviours. We will continue to focus our enforcement efforts on those who put other road users at risk.”

EPS is reminding drivers that dangerous driving isn’t just illegal, it’s deadly. For local stories, data, and resources about traffic fatalities and injury collisions, visit DeadSeriousYEG.com.

Operation 24 Hours is one of several joint enforcement campaigns conducted year-round by EPS and the City of Edmonton to reduce high-risk behaviours and improve road safety.

Charges laid in tent slashing at Heritage Festival

14 Oct 2026 22:30:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a man in relation to a tent slashing that occurred at the Heritage Festival.

On Aug. 3, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m., a male reportedly climbed the metal security fencing around the Israel pavilion at the Edmonton Heritage Festival and cut the tent with a knife. Security guards apprehended the suspect until on-site EPS members arrived and arrested him.

The EPS Hate Crimes Unit conducted a thorough investigation and found insufficient evidence to indicate that the crime was motivated by hate.

Abdimalik Jama, 29, has been charged with mischief under $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was released on an Undertaking with conditions not to possess knives or other edged weapons.

Police investigating fatal collision

14 Oct 2026 20:37:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating a fatal collision that occurred on 97 Street last night.

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at approximately 8:55 p.m., a 2004 Yamaha YZFR6 motorcycle was racing at a high rate of speed with an unknown BMW vehicle northbound on 97 Street from 118 Avenue. The 18-year-old operator of the Yamaha mounted the curb on the east side of 97 Street and continued on the sidewalk before striking a bus shelter at approximately 120 Avenue that contained multiple people waiting for the bus.

The bus shelter occupants included a 21-year-old male who was transported to hospital by paramedics but sadly, was pronounced deceased. A 46-year-old male and an 18-year-old female sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and her 10-month-old son sustained serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. They were also all transported to hospital by paramedics.

The motorcycle operator Kaeden Piccolo, 18, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital by paramedics. He is subsequently being charged with dangerous operation causing death and three counts of dangerous operation causing bodily harm.

The EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is investigating the collision and is seeking witnesses to the collision or any information on the BMW involved.

Police charge man with sexual assault at day home

14 Oct 2026 19:22:45 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a man in the sexual assault of a minor at a day home, and investigators believe there may be other victims who have yet to come forward.

In October 2026, police received a report of a 2022 sexual assault of a child at Shining Stars day home, a private, unlicensed day home in the area of 50 Street and 101 Avenue. The home is not affiliated with any other Edmonton childcare facilities of the same name.

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, Michael Doucette, 54, was arrested and charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching in relation to the 2022 incident. Doucette resided at the home and assisted with childcare duties.

Michael Doucette, 54

The day home opened in 2011, and is no longer in operation.

Investigators believe there may be additional individuals who have not yet come forward, and are asking them to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

Police Crime Treatment Zones show promising reduction in central Edmonton crime

14 Oct 2026 14:10:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) continues to see a reduction in crime and violence thanks to its focus on visible enforcement, intelligence‑led deployments and data‑driven decision‑making in public spaces.

In May of this year, EPS outlined its Safer Edmonton initiative to tackle continuing concerns with disorder and crime citywide. An ongoing policing standard, Safer Edmonton involves strategically deploying resources to areas within each police division where calls for service are highest and uses a data driven approach to determine exactly where and when these resources are needed.

“Edmontonians and our many business and community partners have made their concerns clear: they want a safer Edmonton,” says EPS Police Operations Chief Devin Laforce. “We hear you and we see how issues such as open-air drug use, violence and petty property crime have contributed to ongoing social disorder and community safety concerns. We are pleased to report that results from our summer initiative in the central core indicates that our visible, targeted policing approach is making a difference.”

From Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2026, the Downtown Branch Crime Treatment Zone saw average crime severity decrease by 13.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2025. Similarly, during the same time, public generated calls for service dropped 7.6 per cent compared to 2025, while officer-generated calls increased by 42.5 per cent, a number primarily linked to proactive police engagement in the zone. During this period, disorder calls accounted for 49.5 per cent of all calls for service in Downtown Branch, which also decreased from 54.5 per cent during the same period in 2024 and in 2025.

“These trends continue to suggest what we expected: concentrated reactive and proactive enforcement, along with prevention and support from our partners, is helping us focus resources on the people, places and issues that are driving the crime and disorder in central Edmonton,” says Laforce. “As we continue to expand our Crime Treatment Zones across the city, we want our central communities to know we will not be disappearing from the core and plan to continue this work in downtown areas where our data indicates it is needed most.”

"Throughout the summer, our member businesses consistently reported positive interactions with community-based officers on foot and bicycle patrol. The officers' visible presence, accessibility, and engagement with businesses, visitors, and vulnerable individuals helped strengthen public confidence and complemented the ongoing work of Downtown Beats teams,” says James Robinson, Executive Director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association.

"This progress belongs to our officers and staff, who have invested an extraordinary amount of effort into making Edmonton safer. Every day, they are building relationships, addressing complex social and public safety challenges, and working to improve the quality of life for Edmontonians. While we can’t lose sight of the challenges that remain, these results demonstrate the impact that sustained focus and action have on public safety,” says EPS Chief Warren Dreichel.

With the ongoing success of Safer Edmonton in the central core, the EPS has already begun similar targeted enforcement in various Crime Treatment Zones around the city, which is expected to continue indefinitely as part of its everyday community policing approach. While resources are finite and officers cannot be in all places at all times, the public can expect to see a more visible police presence in key identified crime zones in their communities, such as the Stony Plain Road area in west Edmonton. Resource sharing across the service will take place to address this enforcement and meet policing demands.

Overall, West Branch has noted a 17 per cent reduction in violent crime year to date, a number that is linked to enforcement in areas such as Butler Park, located near Stony Plain Road and 157 Street. On Sept. 30, 2026, police were called to the park for a violent assault that left a man with life-threatening injuries. Thanks to ongoing enforcement in the area, the unknown group of assailants were quickly identified by officers, and one male has since been charged and remanded.

“Stony Plain Road has been an ongoing concern for crime, disorder and drug use, particularly in and around Butler Park, which serves as a major transit hub for the area,” says Inspector Trevor Bohachyk with EPS West Division. “Our officers have been concentrating their efforts in this Crime Treatment Zone for some time, working closely with community, business and the City of Edmonton on strategies that may assist in this area. With ongoing enforcement, we hope to see similar results to the downtown core.”

Though the decrease in violent crime severity is promising and improvements in disorder within crime treatment zones are notable, EPS recognizes that there is still work to do.

“All crime types, whether violent or not, contribute to the broader perception of safety in our communities,” says Inspector Jason Altmiks with the EPS Crime Management Branch. “While some communities continue to struggle with safety impacts and disorder created by the opioid crisis, others feel unsafe due to ongoing property crime or traffic concerns. The Safer Edmonton approach is designed to identify and address these unique community challenges so everyone can feel a sense of safety and pride in where they live.”

Ongoing updates on the Safer Edmonton initiative can be expected in the coming months. Until then the EPS would like to remind citizens to continue to report concerns in their area.

“Reporting crime is what drives the data we use to target our enforcement,” says Laforce. “At the end of the day, calling police or reporting online, even for something that may seem minor, may provide pivotal information for police investigations and resourcing and is a way for everyone to play a role in creating a safer Edmonton.”

Missing 83-year-old woman located safe

13 Oct 2026 02:27:05 UT

The missing 83-year-old woman from this weekend has been located safe. Thank you to the media and the public for your assistance.