'Unthinkable and horrific:' 2 Edmonton police constables shot on job, suspect dead

(UPDATE: March 16 @ 11:05 am) - Officers embraced each other and wiped away tears Thursday as Edmonton’s police chief relayed details of how two constables were shot and killed at an apartment complex while responding to a domestic violence call.

"Today, the Edmonton Police Service has been marked by an unthinkable and horrific tragedy as two of our members have died in the line of duty," Chief Dale McFee told a packed and solemn news conference at police headquarters.

A young man considered a suspect in the shootings was killed by a self−inflicted gunshot wound, McFee said.

He identified the officers who died as Const. Travis Jordan, 35, an 8 1/2−year veteran with the Edmonton force, and Const. Brett Ryan, 30, who had been with the service for 5 1/2 years.

McFee said the officers were called shortly before 1 a.m. to a family dispute at an apartment building in northwest Edmonton, part of a large red−brick complex of three−storey walkups.

"The two patrol members went inside the building, approached the suite and were shot by a male subject," McFee said. "All indications are they did not have a chance to discharge their firearms."

The officers were rushed to hospital by colleagues who worked to keep them alive, said McFee. They were declared dead at hospital.

A woman was also taken to hospital with life−threatening injuries, where she remains in serious but stable condition.

McFee said there was no remaining threat to the community.

He said the police force is devastated by the deaths of the officers. "We know their family, their friends, their EPS family and the entire community will be profoundly impacted by this incident.

"We must all be there for each other. This is a time where we lean in and lean on each other."

McFee said supports are being offered to the officers’ families and colleagues.

The atrium where McFee spoke was packed with more than 100 officers and police staff. Members held and patted each other.

(UPDATE: March 16 @ 9:45 am) - Edmonton police say two officers were shot and killed while responding to a family dispute at an apartment complex and it’s believed the suspect killed himself.

Police Chief Dale McFee said Const. Travis Jordan, 35, and Const. Brett Ryan, 30, were shot by a man as they entered the building in the city’s northwest and approached the suite.

"I can’t tell you how devastated we are with their loss," he told reporters Thursday, as Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis and other dignitaries stood by.

"At this time, all indications are they did not have a chance to discharge their firearms."

McFee said other officers rushed the wounded officers to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

He said it’s believed the suspect died of self−inflicted gunshot wounds.

A woman related to the suspect was also taken to hospital with life−threatening injuries and was in stable but serious condition, McFee added.

(Original story: March 16 @ 8:10 am) - Edmonton police say two patrol officers have been killed while responding to a call.

The force did not immediately release details about what happened.

Police Chief Dale McFee and other dignitaries were scheduled to make statements later Thursday.

The force said further details would be released once they could be confirmed.

About a dozen police cars were parked around a northwest Edmonton apartment complex, a large series of brick three−storey walkups. A forensics truck was parked outside one of the buildings.

The scene was taped off and a road leading into the complex was blocked. Police also set up two command posts in the area.

In response to the deaths, the Edmonton Police Commission cancelled a public meeting that had been planned for Thursday.

Every day, police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep people safe. The news that two @EdmontonPolice officers have been killed in the line of duty reminds us of that reality. I’m sending my condolences to the officers’ loved ones and colleagues – we’re here for you.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 16, 2023

Police services in Calgary, Vancouver, the Greater Toronto Area and Halifax were among those expressing condolences on Twitter.

"This is a tragic loss and one that is shared among law enforcement including our team. We are here to offer our support to (Edmonton police) as well during a devastating time," Calgary deputy police chief Chad Tawfik wrote on Twitter.

"Condolences to the entire service, families, and friends."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also posted a message on Twitter.

"Every day, police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep people safe," he wrote.

"The news that two Edmonton police officers have been killed in the line of duty reminds us of that reality. I’m sending my condolences to the officers’ loved ones and colleagues – we’re here for you."

Thursday’s deaths are the first among the Edmonton Police Service since 2015, when Const. Daniel Woodall, a hate crimes investigator, was using a battering ram to enter a residence when he was shot numerous times through the door. Another officer, Sgt. Jason Harley, was struck by a round that penetrated his body armour and survived.

Before that, Const. Ezio Faraone was shot and killed responding to an armed robbery on June 25, 1990.