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Edmonton Police Killings: Trial Begins for Rifle Seller
29 Apr
Summary
- Man accused of selling rifle used in fatal police shooting trial.
- He faces multiple charges, including three counts of manslaughter.
- Undercover officers obtained incriminating statements from the accused.
The trial is underway for a 21-year-old man, Dennis Tyler Okeymow, accused of selling the semi-automatic STG-44 rifle used in the fatal shootings of two Edmonton police officers and the injury of a pizza delivery driver. Okeymow faces 17 charges, including three counts of manslaughter, and has pleaded guilty to unrelated drug and weapons offenses.
Court heard that Okeymow sold the rifle and ammunition to 16-year-old Roman Shewchuk between January 29 and February 1, 2023, for $2,500, knowing Shewchuk's age. The rifle was later classified as prohibited. Shewchuk carried out a random shooting at a Pizza Hut and the ambush that killed Constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan shortly after.
Evidence presented includes Snapchat messages detailing drug transactions and undercover police operations where Okeymow allegedly admitted knowledge of Shewchuk's involvement in the killings. Shewchuk, who had a history of schizophrenia and substance abuse, died by suicide after the shootings.
Constables Jordan and Ryan were killed on March 16, 2023, while responding to a family dispute. The pizza delivery driver, Richard Albert, survived a shooting days earlier but sustained permanent injuries. The defense is expected to present its arguments shortly.
