Three men charged with first-degree murder in Edmonton trades college shooting
Justin Hunt, 28, was fatally shot outside the Alberta Pipe Trades College in west Edmonton on Oct. 16. Three men now face first-degree murder charges.
Three charged after gunman kills man outside west Edmonton college
Global News Crime reports that three men have been charged with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of Justin Hunt outside the Alberta Pipe Trades College in west Edmonton.
An autopsy confirmed Hunt, 28, died of multiple gunshot wounds. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
Hunt was shot outside the college, near 161 Street and 118 Avenue, on Friday, Oct. 16 at approximately 8:30 a.m. Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers arrived to find him suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead on scene shortly after.
RCMP intercept suspect vehicle on Highway 16
About 15 minutes after the shooting, EPS requested assistance from RCMP in Parkland County in connection with what was then described as a weapons complaint in west Edmonton.
Officers located the suspect vehicle — a dark grey BMW 325i sedan — on Highway 16, matching the description provided by EPS. The car was intercepted by the RCMP emergency response team approximately 37 kilometres west of the college, near the junction of the Yellowhead and Highway 16A, west of Stony Plain.
The BMW was disabled during the stop. Three suspects were taken into custody and treated on scene for non-life-threatening injuries before being handed over to EPS.
When seized, the grey BMW 325i had significant damage to its rear driver fender and driver-side taillight. The licence plate was attached by a single screw and hanging at an angle.
Suspects identified, one faces additional charge
Wol Akuei, 21, John Morris, 20, and John Ocwalla, 19, are each charged with first-degree murder and remain in police custody. Ocwalla faces an additional charge of accessory after the fact to murder.
EPS said investigators believe the shooting was a targeted incident and are not currently seeking additional suspects.
ASIRT called in; dashcam footage sought
Because the suspects sustained injuries during the arrest, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been asked to investigate the police action. RCMP said it is cooperating with ASIRT's investigation and will also conduct its own internal review, covering training, policy, police response, and officer duty status.
EPS homicide detectives are leading the investigation into Hunt's death. Police are appealing for dashcam or CCTV footage of the suspect vehicle recorded between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. on Oct. 16 at several locations in west Edmonton.
The Alberta Pipe Trades College is operated by United Association Local 488, a chapter of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
Source: Global News Crime