Fatal shooting at trades college in northwest Edmonton, second police scene in Parkland County
A man was shot and killed Friday morning at the Alberta Pipe Trades College in Edmonton. Police are investigating a possible link to a separate RCMP scene 37 km away in Parkland County.
Gunman opens fire at Edmonton trades college, one dead
A man was fatally shot Friday morning at the Alberta Pipe Trades College in northwest Edmonton, Global News Crime reports. Edmonton homicide detectives are now leading the investigation into the killing, which may be connected to a second police operation west of the city in Parkland County.
Edmonton police were called to the college, located near 161 Street and 118 Avenue, at approximately 8:30 a.m. Officers arrived to find a man suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead on scene shortly after.
Witnesses told Global News a person in a grey sedan with tinted windows pulled into the college parking lot, exited the vehicle, and opened fire before fleeing at high speed. Multiple gunshots were reported.
"I was inside, all we heard were the gunshots," said a student named Lisa. "I thought it was some banging on the roof until some students came in."
Another student, Ronnie, said he was in the parking lot retrieving coffee from his vehicle when the shooting broke out. He initially mistook the sounds for fireworks or an explosion.
"I hear five to six gunshots ring out. I thought it was tanks exploding or something," Ronnie said. He then saw another student running around a corner. "I asked him like, 'What's going on? What's happening? Is something exploding?' And he said, 'No, someone is shooting the school here.'"
Ronnie said he immediately ran back inside the building. Police arrived within minutes, and classrooms were placed on lockdown.
At the scene, a white truck with its driver and rear doors open was visible in the parking lot, with pylons surrounding the vehicle and what appeared to be a body covered by a tarp nearby. More than half a dozen Edmonton Police Service cruisers remained at the college throughout the day. The parking lot stayed behind police tape, and students whose vehicles were inside the secured area could not retrieve them; buses were arranged to transport them elsewhere.
"At this early stage, investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident," Edmonton Police Service said in an update around 1:30 p.m.
Second police scene 37 kilometres away
A separate, heavy police presence was also established approximately 37 kilometres west of the city, on Highway 16 at Range Road 20, near where the Yellowhead and Highway 16A converge west of Stony Plain in Parkland County. The eastbound lanes were briefly closed between Range Road 15 and 20 before one lane reopened around 11 a.m.
Parkland RCMP confirmed a police operation was underway at that location but did not specify what they were investigating or what led officers there.
In its afternoon update, Edmonton police said its officers and RCMP were working together to determine whether the two scenes are connected. No further details were released, though police indicated a media release would follow when more information became available.
College and unions respond
The Alberta Pipe Trades College is operated by the United Association Local 488 chapter of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada. The college confirmed the shooting and lockdown in a memo posted to its social media accounts, stating it was cooperating fully with police.
The Local Union 424 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers issued a statement of solidarity with those affected at UA Local 488.
"Our thoughts are with everyone affected, including their members, staff, instructors, students, and families. The safety and well-being of all workers and members of our building trades community must always come first," the electrical union said Friday afternoon.
Both unions called on the public to respect the ongoing police investigation, avoid speculation, and follow official updates only.
Appeal for information
Edmonton police are asking anyone with information, dashcam footage, or CCTV recordings relevant to the shooting to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567, or dial #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
Source: Global News Crime