Youth who killed 2 Edmonton police officers also behind Pizza Hut shooting, investigators believe

The 16-year-old youth who killed himself after taking the lives of two city police officers last week is also believed to be responsible for shooting a Pizza Hut employee four days earlier, the Edmonton Police Service said Thursday.

Const. Travis Jordan, 35, and Const. Brett Ryan, 30, were fatally shot on March 16 while responding to a family dispute at an apartment complex in northwest Edmonton. The youth who shot them then shot and injured his 55-year-old mother before killing himself.

Four days earlier, on March 12, a 55-year-old man working at a Pizza Hut near the apartment complex was left with serious injuries after being shot by an assailant.

In the news release Thursday, police said a bullet casing from the March 12 shooting has been forensically matched to the firearm recovered at the scene of the officers' fatal shootings.

"Investigators believe the suspect in the March 12 shooting to be the same 16-year-old male responsible for the deaths of the two EPS members, although this has yet to be confirmed," police said.

"Detectives are also working to trace the origins of the firearm and how it came to be in the youth's possession."

Investigators continue to believe that the youth's parents, police dispatch and Jordan and Ryan "had no information to suggest there was a firearm in the home when the family dispute call for service was made on March 16," police said.

"Both events have been served by robust investigations that have followed all lines of inquiry," Deputy Chief Devin Laforce said in the release. "All tips and other investigative avenues were pursued exhaustively by the investigating teams."

Apprehended under Mental Health Act

Police last week said the youth had no prior criminal record, but that officers had been called to the home before, including for a mental-health complaint. 

On Thursday, Supt. Shane Perka revealed that in November, officers apprehended the youth under the Mental Health Act and took him to hospital for an assessment.

"I can't speak any further as to the outcome of that assessment," Perka said. "That would be more on the medical side of things and we don't have access to that information at this point, but it's certainly things that in the coming days and weeks we will be following up on."

Perka said investigators haven't determined if Jordan and Ryan knew as they approached the apartment complex that the youth had been apprehended under the Mental Health Act in the past.

"The officers would have had access to query the address … again, we're not 100 per cent sure, as we know what information was available to them as they approached the address, but we're unable to confirm ... the details of any conversation they had with the mother," he said.

"But we do know that they did meet with the mother prior to attending the suite together."

The youth's mother was shot several times. She remains in hospital in serious but stable condition and is expected to recover. Laforce said Thursday the mother can't speak, so is communicating through writing. Investigators want to continue to interview her, he said.

An autopsy conducted Wednesday concluded the 16-year-old died from a single gunshot wound to the head "consistent with being self-inflicted," police said.

Police said they are not releasing or confirming the name of the shooter.

The Pizza Hut employee remains in hospital in critical but stable condition as of Thursday.

New details on funeral for fallen constables

Earlier Thursday,  EPS provided new details about a regimental funeral for two constables killed in the line of duty last week.

EPS said it is still working with the families of Jordan and Ryan to finalize details of the funeral and celebration of the officers' lives.

The event will begin with a funeral procession beginning at the Alberta Legislature at 11:45 a.m. and ending at Rogers Place.

Access to Rogers Place will be limited to family, special guests, EPS members and supporters from within the law enforcement, emergency services and military communities, the news release said.

Members of the public are invited to pay their respects along the procession route and will also be able to watch a livestream of the funeral in Ice District Plaza near Rogers Place.

Details about the procession route will be shared before Monday's event, EPS said. Road closures will be in effect and drivers will be encouraged to find alternate routes. Traffic advisories will go out in advance.

For the public viewing, backpacks, briefcases and other large items will not be permitted. Road closures will be in effect, and parking in the area is limited, EPS said.

The City of Edmonton may make other viewing areas available. Details will be shared when finalized, EPS said.

The livestream of the event will also be aired on the EPS YouTube channel.