
-Edmonton police have issued Canada-wide warrants for a suspect in three drive-by shootings investigators believe are connected with extortions involving South Asian home builders.
The incidents all happened in December.
In one case, someone fired shots at a bedroom window of a home in the Cy Becker neighbourhood of Edmonton.
A similar incident happened two days later in Winnipeg.
Police say in the Edmonton and Winnipeg incidents, the homeowners were extorted for money and threatened beforehand.
In the meantime, police are looking for this vehicle in connection with the Winnipeg shooting:
Video: drive-by shooting in Winnipeg
Suspect vehicle in Winnipeg shooting: black SUV with no front license plate
A few days after that, shots were fired at an unoccupied home in Sherwood Park, and while police say no one was hurt, it’s believed the shooter went after the wrong house.
Fortunately, no one was hurt in any of the incidents, and ballistics experts have since determined the same gun was used in all three shootings.
Canada-wide warrants have been issued for 19-year-old Arjun Sahnan, who is alleged to be responsible for the shootings. FIU investigators have determined that Sahnan fled to India.
“Our Firearms Investigation Unit is a sophisticated team with the resources to investigate these complex files, regardless of where the offences take place,” says S/Sgt. Eric Stewart, Guns and Gangs Section. “Committing gun crime in other provinces and fleeing the country will not prevent us from charging a suspect and holding them accountable.”
Citizens are asked to reach out to police with any information about Sahnan’s whereabouts.
Anyone who has information about the suspects, suspect vehicle, or the events related to this crime series is asked to contact police immediately at projectgaslight@edmontonpolice.ca or 780-391-4279. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
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-The province has announced a master rail plan that would include a high speed rail link between Edmonton and Calgary.
It’s not the first time the idea has been tossed around, but Premier Danielle Smith says now is the time to forge ahead with it, as Alberta has been dealing with a lot of population growth and crowded highways.
Part of the plan includes connecting rail from the two cities’ downtowns, to their airports and nearby communities.
Some critics think it’s the government’s way of detracting from the bill they’ve introduced to give them sweeping powers over municipalities.
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-The head of Alberta Municipalities says members are worried about the bill the province has introduced, in that it would give the government sweeping powers over municipalities.
Wetaskiwin Mayor Tyler Gandam says municipal leaders are concerned it will not only silence those who criticize the provincial government, but undermine the power of local voters.
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-London Drugs stores across western Canada remain closed, after the company was hit by some kind of cyber-security breach.
Jon Ferguson with the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, says it was big enough that they were willing to lose business for a few days.
He believes it’s probably some kind of ransomware attack. London Drugs has said it doesn’t believe the personal information of staff and customers has been affected, and that they have cyber-security experts working on the matter.
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-The city of Edmonton may wind up footing the bill for knocking down an old transitional housing facility that closed four years ago.
The city had told the owner two years ago to have it demolished, because there were ongoing problems with break-ins and fires in the place.
The city is now looking at getting rid of it at the cost of the owner, but if the owner doesn’t come up with the money, the city will sell the land the building is on.
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– Edmonton’s Downtown Business Association is talking about turning Rice Howard Way downtown into a pedestrian-only zone on Saturdays during the summer.
If the proposal goes ahead, pedestrians could drink alcohol in the area, as long as it’s purchased from businesses in that region.
The Association says treating it more like a plaza on Saturdays between June and August could bring some life and safety back to the area, along with boosting the economy.
They’re going to send a proposal to city council next month.
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It follows the adventures of Maddy Whitman, who earns money by selling the contents of storage lockers she buys at auctions, until she finds something in one that sets off a crazy chain of events.
Authors Monique MacDonald and Carla Howatt say it’s set in Edmonton.
Fowl Play is available for purchase in softcover and eBook versions at Indigo (online and retail), Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and locally at Indigo – Edmonton South Common, The Prints and The Paper, Alhambra Books, Bailey Books, The Sherwood Park Bookworm, and Confetti Sweets. More locations to come soon.
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-The Florida Panthers are moving to the second round of the NHL playoffs, as they hit the Lightning 6-1 last night to win that series.
-Dallas and the Golden Knights are tied, after the Stars doubled them 4-2 last night.
-Jays beat the Royals 6-5 last night.
TODAY/TONIGHT/TOMORROW:
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