Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
A 21-year-old male has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a store employee in Edson.
On Nov. 4 at 5:27 p.m., Edson RCMP responded to a report of a shooting at a business on 50 Street in Edson.
A male suspect had entered the business with a firearm in an attempted robbery.
During the interaction, the suspect discharged the firearm and injured an employee, a 44-year-old male from Edson.
The suspect fled the business, leaving his firearm behind, and departed in a vehicle, which was later located a short distance away unoccupied.
The employee who had been critically wounded from the firearm discharging was taken to hospital by EMS, but he died as a result of his injuries.
On Nov. 9, an autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the manner of death was homicide.
Following further investigation, Alberta RCMP Major Crimes attempted to arrest the 21-year-old male on Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. with the assistance of Edson RCMP.
However, the male fled into a treed area north of Highway 16 and east of Highway 32, and he was contained awaiting additional resources from the RCMP Police Dog Service and the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team.
As the Alberta RCMP Air Services was unavailable to assist, Edmonton Police Service Air 1 provided assistance.
At approximately 6:40 p.m., the male was taken into custody by the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team.
Brent Michael Dumas, 21, of Yellowhead County is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm contrary to order and assault with a weapon.
In relation to assault with a weapon, a second employee, a 32-year-old male from Edson, was assaulted by the suspect during a physical altercation that occurred after the shooting while still inside the store.
Following a judicial hearing, Dumas was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Edson Provincial Court via CCTV on Jan. 18, 2022.
