Warrant issued for suspect in crash that killed Calgary mother of 5

Calgary police said in a statement issued Monday they have identified a suspect wanted in an incident that resulted in the death of a Calgary mother of five.

Angela McKenzie died May 10 moments after gunfire erupted between the occupants of two vehicles - a red 2021 Chevrolet Silverado and a grey 2021 Volkswagen Jetta - driving on 36th Street S.E. around 11 p.m. That resulted in one of the vehicles crashing into a minivan driven by McKenzie at the intersection of 36th Street and 17th Avenue S.E.

The fatal crash orphaned McKenzie's five children, ranging in age from nine to 17, as their father died in February.

After reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses and processing evidence gathered from the scene, police issued seven Canada-wide warrants for 29-year-old Talal Amer in relation to the incident, including attempted murder, manslaughter, reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm with an obliterated serial number, unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm, and possession of a prohibited device.

The known gangster has an extensive criminal history including ties to organized crime, an attempted murder conviction and convictions on charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offences.

Police originally believed the shooting and subsequent fatal crash may have been road rage related but, after identifying the individuals involved and examining evidence, it's now believed the shooting was targeted, with the driver of the Jetta the intended target.

CPS officials say the occupant of the Jetta did not return gunfire at the Silverado as they had originally believed.

Police said the Silverado driven by Amer was stolen, and that he was the aggressor in the incident, chasing the Jetta, and shooting at it before allegedly crashing into McKenzie's vehicle.

"Our investigators have worked day and night to identify the person responsible for the tragic death of Ms. McKenzie," said Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson of the Calgary Police Service homicide unit. "This incident was a careless and senseless display of violence in our community and we believe that Talal Amer was solely responsible for the death of Ms. McKenzie."

A pickup truck with significant damage to its front end following a Tuesday night incident at the intersection of 17th Avenue and 36th Street S.E. that left one person dead.

STATEMENT FROM SYLVIA MCKENZIE

Earlier Monday, McKenzie's mother Sylvia released a statement.

"Nobody expects to lose someone they love in an act so shocking it has people across Canada talking about it," Sylvia McKenzie said. "Angela was our beacon of light, a feisty defender of her family and children, and the most generous person we have ever known. She saw joy and hope where others only found struggle.

"In our struggle to accept her death, Canadians, and especially Calgarians, have shown the Shaws and ourselves a grace and generosity that matches that of our beloved daughter, sister, and mother. We see the beautiful soul of our community blossoming from this ugly act, and we get to experience the dignity of the world the way Angela always experienced it.

Angela McKenzie died on May 10 after her minivan was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in southeast Calgary. The driver of the truck that hit her is wanted on several charges including manslaughter and attempted murder. (Supplied)

"Thank you all for that gift."

McKenzie added the response to her daughter's death has also been emotionally overwhelming for the family. Sylvia is looking after the children.

"We need time now to process our grief. To keep a sense of normality for ourselves and to allow the children to continue to come to terms with having lost both of their parents within months of each other, we need our privacy.

"Thank you for showing us that Angela’s spirit lives in every one of you."

Last week, police located the man who is suspected to have been driving the Jetta. He had been taken to hospital with a gunshot wound following the crash.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Calgary Police Service's non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or to submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

With files from Melissa Gilligan and Austin Lee