deadmonton 2009 - march crime report

Around 6:25 p.m. on March 12th authorities received a call about an injured 20-year-old male found inside a home at 11408 51 Avenue. There were also reports of people hearing two gunshots shots at about the same time.

Police shut down several blocks around the area and the tactical unit cleared the home before allowing paramedics inside – see images »

The man was taken to hospital where he later died of a single bullet wound.

"Right now, we're going to treat it as a suspicious death ... just a few things that we're not 100-per-cent sure of – some items that have been moved," Insp. Terry Rocchio told media.

"We've called our homicide section and they're just going to take a lead in this right now."

One witness said he overheard that police had found a hidden gun and that they had been at the residence before – read more »

"I'm pretty sure I heard they found a gun in the barbecue," neighbour John Zahariuk told media.

"Three, four nights ago they swarmed the premises also ... three-four SWAT vehicles. They left empty-handed."

A spokesman later said police had been to the address two days previously to attend to a suicidal person. Several sources described the deceased as "a troubled young man" but it wasn't confirmed if it was the same individual on both occasions.

A young woman was seen being taken in for questioning. Police later said everyone with personal knowledge of the circumstances leading up to the shooting had been located and that no one was in custody.

Police continue to term the death as suspicious while waiting for final autopsy results.

On March 16th a police spokesman told the Edmonton Sun that homicide detectives are continuing to probe the matter.

“Autopsy results aren't being released as of yet,” the spokesman said, adding that more information may be released by the end of the week.

At last word police were still investigating the matter.