Edmonton police have reported a 42 per cent increase in shootings compared to this time last year.
Throughout November 2023, there were a total of 11 reported shootings. Nine of these shootings were reported to be targeted, while four of them resulted in injury.
Police added that one of the shootings involved the death of a father and son.
Compared to November 2022, this month’s shooting occurrences were down by 1 per cent, but comparing the year as whole, there has been a 42 per cent increase in shootings.
As of November 30, there was 204 shootings reported throughout 2023, compared to 144 shootings by this time last year.
The risk of public safety was high, with 10 of the 11 shootings having the risk to hurt innocent bystanders.
“Driving, shopping and walking near your home should not be this unsafe, and the reckless daytime shooting deaths at a busy shopping complex in early November clearly underscores that any respect for the safety of innocent citizens among organized crime groups is non-existent,” said staff sergeant Eric Stewart with EPS.
Throughout 2023, police seized 825 firearms.
