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Accused gun trafficker charged with manslaughter in deaths of Edmonton officers, teen

Nov. 29, 2023, Edmonton, Alta. – Police say a man accused of trafficking a gun to a 16-year-old boy who shot and killed two Edmonton officers has been charged with manslaughter.

Cst. Brett Ryan and Cst. Travis Jordan were responding to a call about a family dispute at an apartment building in March when they were gunned down by the boy.

Police said the teen also shot and wounded his mother during a struggle over the gun. He then shot and killed himself.

Police arrested 19-year-old Dennis Okeymow last week. He faces three counts of manslaughter for the deaths of the officers and the young shooter.

Okeymow also faces several other offences, including criminal negligence causing death and firearms trafficking.

“In my 20 years in this career, this is the most complex and tragic file I have worked on,” Sgt. Eric Stewart with the police guns and gang unit said Wednesday in a news release.

“It’s heartbreaking that the trafficking of a firearm has led to multiple deaths and life-altering injuries.”

Police said at the time there was no apparent motive for the March 16 shooting.

They said the teen was apprehended last year under the Mental Health Act and taken to a hospital for assessment.

The gun recovered from the shooting was linked to another shooting at a nearby pizza restaurant a few days earlier. A 55-year-old man who was shot at the restaurant suffered traumatic injuries, police said.

Police said it’s believed the 16-year-old boy was the restaurant shooter.

A regimental funeral held for Ryan and Jordan was attended by thousands of officers from across Canada and the United States.

Ryan, 30, a former paramedic, lived just west of Edmonton in Spruce Grove, Alta. Family said he was expecting his first child with his wife.

“Brett was a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle and a father-to-be,” a statement from the family said at the time.

Jordan, 35, who grew up in Nova Scotia, was remembered as a kind officer who went above and beyond in his job.

“His family roots in Nova Scotia have deep ties to the province filled with friends, family and loved ones,” said a statement from his family.

Stewart said that “the trauma suffered by the impacted families as a result of this one simple transaction is unthinkable.”