The Edmonton Police Service Firearms Investigations Unit (FIU) has completed their investigation into the origins of the firearm used in the March 16th, 2023 shootings, killing two EPS officers.
Following the shooting of Constable Brett Ryan and Constable Travis Jordan, EPS conducted the investigation into the gun used by a 16 year-old shooter.
On Sunday, March 12th, 2023 shortly before 12:30am, a lone male suspect entered a pizza restaurant near 133 Street and 114 Avenue carrying a firearm. The suspect shot a male employee and fled the location where he later confronted Const. Travis and Const. Brett Ryan and shot both officers multiple times, shooting his 55 year old mother before turning the gun on himself and taking his life.
After a lengthy investigation spanning over multiple months, FIU determined 19 year old Dennis Okeymow trafficked the firearm used in both shootings directly to the 16-year-old gunman. Police searched Okeymow’s residence and found a stolen and loaded handgun, illegal drugs, $10,000 in cash alongside other items indicative of drug trafficking.
Guns and Gangs Section Staff Sgt. Eric Steward spoke to media about the charges and said this is something he’s never seen in his nearly two decades of working with EPS.
Okeymow is facing multiple charges including:
- manslaughter (x3) and criminal negligence causing death (x3) in relation to the deaths of Const. Ryan, Const. Jordan and the 16-year-old male shooter
- criminal negligence causing bodily harm (x2) in relation to the man injured in the restaurant shooting on Mar. 12 and the youth’s mother, who was injured during the Mar. 16 shooting
- firearms trafficking
- unauthorized possession of a firearm
- possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- other drug trafficking related charges
Staff Sgt. Steward continues to mention the increased amount of cases EPS have seen for trafficked firearms in the city.
FIU also gave their thanks to the RCMP, Calgary Police Service (CPS) and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team for their help in the investigation.
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