Fears of gang war in Edmonton after child slain during targeted attack on criminal father
Is Edmonton on the precipice of a gang war?
The Edmonton Police Service says the horrific killing of a young boy goes too far and a well-known criminologist said it could trigger revenge attacks.
“This line in the sand with organized crime — it’s just changed,” EPS Acting Supt. Colin Derksen said in a Friday news conference.
“That is sick and twisted and I think most gang members would agree.”
On Thursday, police said a known Edmonton gang member was tracked down, shot and killed along with his 11-year-old son while they were in a car parked outside an A&W and Petro-Canada gas station near 50 Street and Ellerslie Road.
Derksen told reporters Friday the boy’s death was not an accident.
“Once the shooter or the shooters learned that the son was there, they intentionally killed him. Shot and killed him.
“He was not caught in the crossfire or killed by mistake — they intended to kill him.”
Police arrived on scene to find the father and son suffering from gunshot wounds inside their vehicle.
They were pulled out while officers tried to save their lives, but the man and child died. Their bodies were seen covered by blankets in the parking lot of the gas station.
Derksen said even for gangsters, killing a kid is beyond comprehension.
“These reckless actions show all too clearly that the landscape has changed out there.”
He said the lunch-hour shooting in the crowded suburban shopping plaza, with other businesses, including a daycare, is the latest example of escalating gang violence in the city.
“There’s no longer any respect for children, families, innocent citizens amongst our rival organized crime groups, our gangsters when they carry out violence to further their own interests. That’s changed in the wrong way.”
Daniel
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