Police talk at scene at a residence in Sturgeon Heights Saturday afternoon investigating the area where the suspect in the shooting of two St. Albert RCMP members was found dead.
Officer in hospital may not survive injuries
RCMP update on officer, suspect at news conference
RCMP are “not optimistic” that Const. David Matthew Wynn will survive his injuries.
“It is with deep concern that I inform you that Const. David Matthew Wynn has yet to regain consciousness,” said RCMP Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan.
Wynn and Auxilary Const. Derek Bond were called to Apex Casino in St. Albert on Saturday night to investigate a stolen car around 3 a.m. Saturday, when the casino was due to close.
Both officers were shot at close range by the suspect who has been identified as Shawn Maxwell Rehn.
Bond was shot first in the right arm, narrowly missing his vital organs, said Ryan. Wynn was shot in the head.
Wynn, 42, is a school resource officer at Keenoshayo School. He has a wife and three children.
Bond was released from hospital late Saturday.
"It should be understood that this was not a firearms issue," said RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson, adding the officers could never have known Rehn was carrying a loaded handgun.
Rehn, 34, had an extensive criminal record including firearms violations and acts of violence. He had outstanding charges currently before the courts.
Rehn was found dead in a Sturgeon County home on Saturday. An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday.
Ryan said it is a difficult time for both officers' families. She asked for privacy and respect for the families of both officers in the days ahead.
Ryan also thanked Canadians and the community of St. Albert for their “overwhelming outpouring of support.” St. Albertans left their porch lights on Saturday night and left flowers in front of the RCMP detachment during the day.
“I can tell you that was felt in the hearts by all our members, not just in St. Albert,” she said.
Shooting suspect identified
Shawn Maxwell Rehn, 34, identified as suspect in shooting
The suspect in the shooting of two St. Albert RCMP officers has been identified as 34-year-old Shawn Maxwell Rehn of the greater Edmonton area. Rehn was known to police.
A search in the archives of the Edmonton Journal shows that Rehn, then 22, and a 16-year-old were charged in connection with theft of $150,000 worth of hockey memorabilia in 2003.
Canadian Firearms Digest, a website archiving newspaper articles related to firearms laws and regulations in Canada, also published information from two articles mentioning Rehn.
One, published by the Edmonton Sun in 2003, said Shawn Maxwell Rehn, 22, of no fixed address, and another man were charged “with numerous weapons-related offences, break and enter, and possession of stolen property.”
Another article was published in 2005 by the Edmonton Journal. The article said that Rehn, then 24, allegedly forced his way into a residence and then forced the lone occupant to drive him to a bank in Edmonton, demanding his bank card and PIN.
The Gazette was not able to find the original articles at this time.
On his facebook page, Rehn stated that he was a former pipefitter and studied at NAIT.
On Saturday, Rehn shot Aux. Const. Derek Walter Bond and Const. David Matthew Wynn at around 3 a.m. inside the Apex Casino in St. Albert. Both officers were wounded seriously.
Bond was released from hospital later in the day, while Wynn remains in “very grave” condition.
Following the shooting, police tracked Rehn to an area around the Sturgeon Valley golf course. They cordoned off roads around the golf course and surrounding neighbourhoods during their search.
Rehn was found dead inside a nearby home in Sturgeon County. The house was unoccupied at the time.
An autopsy to determine the cause of his death will take place Monday.
Further information about the deceased suspect will be released after the RCMP receives the autopsy report. The family of the deceased has been notified.
One officer involved in shooting released from hospital
Suspect identified as Shawn Maxwell Rehn
One RCMP officer involved in Saturday's shooting has been released from hospital.
Auxilary Const. Derek Bond was released from hospital Saturday evening.
Bond, 49, has worked with the RCMP in a volunteer capacity since 2008. He was not carrying a firearm at the time of the shooting, but was armed with pepper spray and a baton.
Const. David Matthew Wynn remains in grave condition.
The 42-year-old was equipped with a 9-mm sidearm.
Wynn has worked as a school resource officer at Keenooshayo School for the past five years, confirms St. Albert Public Schools.
The officers were called to the Apex Casino to investigate a stolen vehicle around 3 a.m. Saturday, when the casino was due to close.
Two shots were fired in the casino by a male suspect, injuring both officers. Police tracked the suspect to an area around the Sturgeon Valley golf course. They cordoned off roads around the golf course and surrounding neighbourhoods during their search.
The suspect was found dead inside a nearby home in Sturgeon County. The house was unoccupied at the time. The stolen vehicle was recovered nearby.
The suspect has since been identified by RCMP as Shawn Maxwell Rehn, 34, of the greater Edmonton area. He is known to police.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
Apex Casino is scheduled to re-open Monday.
Map of the RCMP shooting event
Suspect in shootings of two RCMP officers found dead
Both officers identified and suffering serious injuries in hospital
The suspect in the shootings of two St. Albert RCMP officers Saturday morning is dead and both officers are still in hospital, confirm police. The suspect was since identified as 34-year-old Shawn Maxwell Rehn of the greater Edmonton area. Rehn was known to police.
Rehn was found dead inside a Sturgeon County house near Sturgeon Valley golf course. The house was unoccupied at the time.
Police did not speak with the suspect or fire their weapons when they entered the home to arrest him, said RCMP at a Saturday afternoon news conference.
Police tracked the man after two shots were fired inside Apex Casino around 3 a.m., injuring two officers. The officers were investigating a stolen vehicle.
Both officers remain in hospital with serious injuries.
Const. David Matthew Wynn, 42, joined the RCMP in 2009. He remains in grave condition.
"Is his survival at stake? Absolutely," said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Marlin Degrand.
Wynn was equipped with a 9 mm sidearm.
Auxilary Const. Derek Walter Bond, 49, has worked with the RCMP in a volunteer capacity since 2008.
Bond did not carry a firearm, but was armed with pepper spray and a baton. Auxiliary officers are often involved with community policing.
The officers did not have a chance to return fire, said Degrand.
At this time, no other suspects are being sought in the shooting, say police.
The stolen vehicle was recovered near where the suspect was found.
Police cordoned off the casino, the area around the Sturgeon Valley golf course and surrounding neighbourhoods during their search.
RCMP and the City of St. Albert alerted the public to avoid the area southeast of the golf course Saturday morning as the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.
"On behalf of city council and the residents of St. Albert, our prayers are with the two RCMP officers who were shot in the line of duty early this morning. The RCMP members and auxiliary officers protecting our community put their own safety at risk to ensure our own," said Mayor Nolan Crouse.
He said he is unaware of a similar incident happening in St. Albert's history.
"I know all Albertans stand in unity and gratitude alongside those impacted by the events earlier today as together we hope for the recovery of both officers," said Premier Jim Prentice in a statement.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Tea (ASIRT) will conduct an independent review into the circumstances of the suspect's death.
Neighbours react
Residents of the neighbourhood where the shooter was found dead were shocked. They said they were praying for the recovery of the two officers.
John Pichlyk lives next door to the home where the shooter was found.
He said the family woke early Saturday morning to the sound of a helicopter flying over the area. The police later told them that the suspect was in their neighbour's home.
While Pichlyk can see his neighbour's home through the trees in his yard, he heard no sound coming from it. He said the family was not worried about their safety but remained home all day to watch the news.
“St. Albert is not used to this,” he said.
“We are praying for the officer in grave condition,” his wife added.
A few houses down the road, Ted Elkins ventured out at 6 a.m. to see why a helicopter was flying over his home. He saw nothing at the time. But his daughter phoned later that morning to ask if they were okay.
“She said you better turn on the news because it's pretty darn serious,” he said.
He said his family was grieving with the families of the injured officers.
“It's very sad, it's terrible. They are investigating a stolen vehicle and next thing they are fighting for their life,” he said.
“Sometimes you think it's only on TV. And this is actually a little too close to home for me,” he added.
Resident of Sturgeon Community Reacts To Shootings
By Viola Pruss
Video Inteview with Ted Elkins, resident of the neighbourhood shut down by RCMP early Saturday morning. Police later found the home next door to Elkins was unoccupied.
