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
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.