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Scott Vincent James Ladouceur, 24, was shot to death July 2nd, 2008.

Ladouceur was Edmonton's fourteenth homicide victim of the year.

Case status is open and active.

Police continue to investigate a double shooting that left one man dead and a second in hospital with serious gunshot wounds.

At about 10:00 p.m. July 2nd, 2008 three people arrived at the Northeast Community Health Centre at 14007 50 Street.

Their silver Mazda 6 had a large bullet hole in the passenger door – the first indication to medical staff that something very serious had happened.

Two males in their 20s had suffered gunshot wounds. Medics performed mouth-to-mouth on one of the victims inside the clinic.

Shouts of "Not Kyle" could be heard as people started arriving at the health centre.

One man was pronounced dead, the other was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital with life-threatening wounds. The third person was held for questioning.

Soon the entrance of the health centre became a crime scene, with familiar yellow tape surrounding the car.

Possible witnesses and those who knew the victims soon gathered. Veteran homicide Det. Bill Clark brought media up to speed.

"Police were called at 9:54 p.m. to the Northeast Medical Centre when a car pulled up with two males who had been shot," he said.

"They are very well known to police. That's one of the reasons the gang unit is involved. They've been involved in various drugs and other gang activities"

Clark said the third person in the car, a woman, had been taken into investigative custody. She was described as co-operative and was later released.

"We are right now checking an area where we believe they were shot in the north part of the city here," Clark added.

Details remain sketchy, but police believe the shooting took place in a semi-rural area near 167th Avenue and 18th Street, west of Kuhlmann's Greenhouse and the Evergreen Mobile Home park.

It wasn't clear why the victims were near the trailer park. Investigators said they were not there for a party and that the car wasn't moving when bullets were fired.

The Mazda was seized and taken to a police garage for examination.

A bullet hole could be seen in the driver's headrest.

While police were waiting for autopsy results before releasing the name of the deceased, the 22-year-old man recovering in hospital from multiple gunshot wounds was revealed by media to be Marlon George Williams, a man with an extensive criminal record that included a charge of second-degree murder – see below.

Police are waiting for Williams to recover before interviewing him. He remains in serious condition.

"Of course, our main focus is going to be on interviewing the guy who is in hospital," Det. Clark said of the investigation. "Hopefully he'll be able to provide us with more information."

On July 4th, 2008 the medical examiner announced that Scott Ladouceur, 24, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.

The Edmonton Journal spoke to Ladouceur's brother, 23-year-old Steven Jennings, who said the man left behind a one-year-old daughter named Kaleya who is now living with a former girlfriend.

Jennings said police told him Scott had been shot twice in the back of the head. It was Scott's current girlfriend, Alex, who had driven the Mazda to the health centre.

Jennings also said the night of the murder his brother and Marlon Williams picked up a man who used to be a friend.

The man was sitting in the back seat of the car and he fled on foot after the shooting.

Growing up, Scott would always look out for his younger brother, keeping school bullies away. Then he dropped out after Grade 11. Police believe he got involved in criminal activity. Jennings said he doesn't know what his brother did for a living.

"He was our protector for most of our life," Jennings told the Journal.

"Family was always important to him," he added. "A lot of people see him in a negative light. But you know, he always made sure that whatever we needed help with, we got help with.

"I don't think he was killed over drugs," Jennings said.

"The police aren't going to tell us nothing because some of my brother's friends, if they find out who that person is, they're not just going to walk up to him and say, 'You're a bad person.' "

Steven said his brother dreamed of travelling and settling down with his current girlfriend.

He had a good sense of humour, Jennings told the Journal. He was always teasing his mother, who lives in low-income housing. He would often pay the rent and buy her food.

Scott Ladouceur had four younger sisters and brothers, plus a brother from a different mother.

Jennings said his friends will pay for the funeral.

Investigators have no suspects and asked those with information about the shooting to contact police at the phone numbers, web sites and message services listed below on this page.

On July 15th, when the Edmonton Sun asked about Williams' condition, Capital Health declined to offer comment, citing privacy concerns.

A closed casket greeted those attending Scott Ladouceur's funeral. The budding rapper was remembered at a well-attended service held at the Memories Funeral Home, 13403 St. Albert Trail.

Rev. James Holland told those gathered Scott's was a life that ended too soon.

"His death is a tragedy to his family," Holland said. "His death is a tragedy to this community. His death is a tragedy to this city ... to this country."

The 24-year-old was remembered for a warm smile, his generosity, and his love for sports and video games.

Scott's mother Audrey told those gathered about raising her "angel" son.

"(Now Scott) can stand no more," she said. "I'll be waiting for you at the door."

Acting Insp. Kevin Galvin, head of the Edmonton Police Service's Co-ordinated Crime Unit, said Ladoucer's shooting wouldn't likely spark a gang war.

"I would say this act is similar to many gang-initiated events we've seen in the past four years or so," he said. "We're not of the opinion this would signal a war."

Galvin had alluded to such a turf battle during a media awareness session held in November 2007. He spoke of the consequences of getting involved in the underbelly of Edmonton's boomtown economy.

"There's a group of young people who get involved with a business process that they think is the MTV lifestyle and they are not prepared for the violent end of it," Galvin warned. "And when it occurs they don't know how to get out."

On July 9th, 2008 the Edmonton Sun spoke with homicide Det. Bill Clark. He said talking to Marlon Williams was the key to finding out more regarding Ladoucer's murder. However, Williams' condition have prevented investigators from speaking with the man.

It's still not clear if he'll live, Clark said.

Police have been able to determine why Williams and Ladouceur were in the area on the north edge of the city but weren't ready to release the information citing the needs of the investigation.

"We believe it's all part of the gang (and) drug culture," Clark said.

With little in the way of hard news regarding the shooting early on, media fanned out into the neighbourhood for comment.

The Edmonton Sun ran into one resident who had a personal connection to another recent violent area death.

"An associate of mine got shot a few weeks ago," said Brett Michel. "His name was Ashley Charest."

28-year-old Charest was gunned down in the parking lot of strip mall near 139th Avenue and 26th Street on May 15th, 2008. Police said that his homicide was likely the result of a drug deal gone bad.

"This is a safe neighbourhood but if it keeps up, it might not be," Michel said.

Longtime Evergreen trailer park resident Marg Johnson acknowledged the city's violence knows no geographic boundaries.

"It's upsetting," she said. "I won't feel as safe now. This is happening all over the city. It's not just here near Evergreen. It's everywhere."

When he was 16 years old, Williams was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Ikeche Bates.

Williams later pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon and was sentenced as an adult to two years probation. He also received a lifetime firearms ban and had to serve 100 hours of community service.

On May 3rd, 2003 Bates, who had former gang connections, was shot in the back shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Clareview Road near 132nd Avenue as he returned to his Chrysler Sebring following a conversation about jewelry with two people in a small, red car.

After the suspects fled in the red car, police found a fully loaded .357 Magnum on the ground next to Ikeche's body, tucked into a white sport sock. It was later determined it belonged to Bates and that he had unsuccessfully tried to fire all six rounds.

Police said the shooting was possibly gang-related, but more likely the result of a personal dispute. Bates died later in hospital – a bullet had pierced his heart – and he was Edmonton's seventh murder victim of that year.

Police soon seized a 1988 four-door Honda Civic and second-degree murder warrants were issued for Terence Dashielle Miller, 20, and a 16-year-old (Williams). The two men were arrested several days later.

In May 2004 Williams admitted to shooting Bates but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. A judge noted Williams was out on bail for several charges that included drug trafficking at the time of the shooting.

Reading her victim impact statement, Ikeche's grandmother, Jo-Anne Bates, addressed Williams.

"I can only pray that when your judgement day comes, you feel the pain and sadness that you inflicted on me and my family."

Marlon Williams' mother said at the time her son would not have shot someone unless it was in self defence.

“He would not just come out and shoot someone,” she said. “They’d have to be ready to shoot him before he did.”

Contacted by the Edmonton Sun, Williams' mother declined comment regarding her son being shot.

Det. Clark said there was a possibility Williams' shooting could be connected to the 2003 case, but “there's no way to say anything definitively at this time.”

Bates' cousin, J.R. Patrick, recently returned to Edmonton from an out-of-town trip.

“That's crazy,” he told the Sun when he heard of Williams being shot. “That's nuts. It's sad that this stuff's still happening and it's Edmonton.”

The Sun also spoke with Ikeche's sister, Isha Jackson.

"It's weird that he can be out on the streets with a life going on after what happened," she said referring to Williams.

"We were just really sad to hear it. Any time we hear any drama like that, we know there are families involved who are stuck worrying about their loved ones," Isha said, noting relatives had no thoughts of revenge when they heard Williams had become a shooting victim.

Terence Dashielle Miller had charges against him stayed in the Bates matter, with the Crown citing "evidentiary" reasons for the decision.

However, Miller's brush with the law wasn't enough to keep him on the straight and narrow.

In 2005 the now 23-year-old turned himself in to police to face a second-degree murder charge in connection with the July 7th death of Brandon Fern (above). The 18-year-old had been beaten, stabbed and shot in an Abbottsfield apartment lobby.

Miller again escaped justice when Crown prosecutors stayed the charge against him relating to Fern's death.

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Those with information about the July 2nd, 2008 shooting were asked to contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.tipsubmit.com

Tips can also be text messaged. In Edmonton, text TIP250 + message and send to CRIMES (274637). In Northern Alberta, text TIP205 + message and send to CRIMES (274637).

Outtakes

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deadmonton 2008 - scott ladouceur