Man dies after gunshots heard in Mill Woods and SUV found torched on Edmonton outskirts

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating the suspicious death of a young man after gunshots were heard in Mill Woods and a vehicle was found torched in another area of the city Tuesday night.

Police responded just before 11 p.m. to reports of gunshots near 48th Street and 21st Avenue.

Officers arrived in the Pollard Meadows neighbourhood to find a 22-year-old man suffering from critical injuries.

Alberta Health Services said EMS took the patient to hospital in critical, life-threatening condition, where police said the victim was pronounced dead.

About half an hour later, police were called to the under-construction neighbourhood of Stillwater in deep southwest Edmonton, where a vehicle was found on fire at 199th Street and 16st Avenue.

Police said officers found an SUV engulfed in flames just south of Maskêkosihk Trail. At this time, investigators believe the SUV is connected to the suspicious death.

On Wednesday, burnt vehicle parts and scorched asphalt was all that was left on the field turnout where the vehicle was found.

On Wednesday afternoon, police said homicide detectives have since taken over the investigation. An autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday.

Back in southeast Edmonton, a home at the corner of 48th Street and 21st Avenue was blocked off with police tape overnight and well into Wednesday morning as forensic investigators combed the scene. Bullet holes were seen in the side of the house.

Area residents said officers showed up late Tuesday night after what sounded like gunshots rang out.

“I was lying in bed and about all I heard was five shots and it sounded like it’s from a very big gun,” said Lorn Lodsberg, who has lived in the community for 45 years. He said police showed up not long after that.

Lodsberg and his longtime neighbour Sushil Bagga both said it’s the first time they’ve witnessed anything suspicious in the area.

“Every neighbour (in) every house is a very nice person. So I don’t know what happened suddenly,” said Bagga, who has also lived in the area for more than four decades. She said she heard what sounded like gunshots.

“It was like, quarter to 11 last night and I was watching the TV, and suddenly I heard the bang,” Bagga said, adding it scared her, so she didn’t open the curtains to look right away. About five to 10 minutes later, she said she saw flashing lights and six or seven police cruisers roll up.

Bagga said a nice couple with three children lives in the house that was taped off, and she goes for walks in the summer with the woman who lives there and her dog.

Investigators were seen working the scene all morning, placing evidence markers on the ground and taking photos. Just before noon, officers were seen packing up and taking down the police tape.

Bagga said she had trouble sleeping after hearing the bangs.

“I sleep one hour, then wake up again, then look around.”

She said she’s lived in Canada for 45 years and in the past decade, has seen an increase in crime citywide that makes her wary to go outside at night.

Edmonton police said homicide investigators are looking for dash cam footage from the area the SUV was found.

Anyone who drove on 199th Street south of Lessard Road on Tuesday March 5, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. is asked to call EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.

Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

1:52 Police tactical teams break up Eritrea clash at soccer tournament in Edmonton

Previous Video Next Video

&© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.