The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) investigated 11 shootings in July, marking a 56% decrease compared to July 2023. Of these incidents, 10 are believed to have been targeted, and four resulted in injuries. In nine cases, innocent bystanders were at risk, and two people tragically lost their lives.
The drop in shootings is part of a broader downward trend in gun violence across the city. Year-to-date, shootings have fallen by 39% compared to the same period last year, reflecting a significant decline in violent incidents involving firearms.
Staff Sergeant Eric Stewart of the EPS Guns and Gangs Section highlighted the importance of this progress. “While we know gun violence can be difficult to predict, this trend is very encouraging, and shows that our focus on curbing gun violence and the expansion of our Firearms Investigation Units and Gang Suppression Teams are paying off.”
EPS data shows a consistent drop in shootings since January, when nine were reported, compared to 19 the same month in 2023. July’s figures follow similar patterns in previous months, signaling sustained improvement.
Police seized 53 firearms in July, with 471 confiscated so far this year—down from 625 during the same timeframe in 2023. Despite the encouraging trends, law enforcement remains vigilant as they continue efforts to prevent further gun violence in Edmonton.