Within hours of news breaking that nine people had died at three different scenes throughout the Edmonton-area, condolences started pouring in, and a memorial was started at one of the locations.
On Monday evening, police were called to a southwest Edmonton home due to a weapons complaint, over the hours that followed, officers were called to three separate scenes, where a total of nine people were found dead, including two children.
Edmonton Police Service Chief Rod Knecht said the incident was not gang-related, but called it a case of domestic violence.
As more details of the tragedy emerged on the events of that night, messages started pouring in on social media, with Mayor Don Iveson tweeting his condolences to the families and support for investigators.
Like all Edmontonians, I am deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy. Our thoughts are with the extended family. (1/2) #yegcc
— Don Iveson (@doniveson) December 30, 2014
I appreciate the very heavy burden @edmontonpolice and RCMP members are carrying, working together to investigate these deaths. (2/2) #yegcc
— Don Iveson (@doniveson) December 30, 2014
The Mayor of Fort Saskatchewan, where the tragedy ended Tuesday morning with the death of a man, issued a statement Tuesday afternoon in the wake of the incident.
“I, like many others, have watched with sadness as the news of today’s tragic loss of nine lives unfolded. My heart goes out to all friends and family who have been impacted by the deaths and I have nothing but appreciation and gratitude for the officers involved in the incident.
“This is not a story about place, this is a story about people. The City of Fort Saskatchewan puts our faith in the EPS and RCMP to do their job in these very sad circumstances,” Katchur’s statement read.
Premier Jim Prentice also released a statement in response to the series of incidents.
“I wish to express my sorrow at the tragic incident which claimed lives in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan today, and my appreciation to the first responses involved.”
Finally, starting Tuesday evening, a make-shift memorial was started outside of the north side home were seven people were found dead, including the two children.
Later in the evening, flowers, stuffed toys and candles were placed in the snow outside the home located on 83 Street and 180 Avenue.