A makeshift memorial grew Wednesday outside a north Edmonton home where police made a gruesome discovery earlier in the week, with many, including Edmonton’s mayor, stopping by for a moment of silence.
Inside that home on Tuesday morning, police found the bodies of three women, two men and two children under 10-years-old following what police called a domestic violence tragedy.
Stuffed animals, cards and flowers mark the location in Edmonton's Lakeview neighbourhood, and Edmonton’s mayor stopped Wednesday morning to leave a bouquet of flowers at the memorial.
Iveson told CTV News at the time that he had stopped to pay his respects, after laying the flowers; he stood for a moment in silence in front of the home.
Earlier in the day, Iveson released an extended statement in the wake of the tragedy – he said he was “shocked and saddened” at the deaths of nine people Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
“On behalf of City Council, our hearts are heavy with the news, and our thoughts are with the friends and family of the victims as we all struggle to come to terms with the magnitude of what has happened.
“As more details have emerged, it now seems clear that this is a devastating case of domestic violence. The scale of these events is rare and exceptional. However, domestic violence remains all too common in our society and this tragedy is a harsh reminder of the continuing need for support for individuals and families in crisis, and the critical importance of reporting any instances of domestic violence to police.”
That house is just one of three locations in the Edmonton area where shots rang out, leaving a total of nine people dead.
Cyndi Duong, 37, has been identified as the first victim, found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the scene at a home in southwest Edmonton.
EPS confirmed that investigators believe the seven victims found dead in the north side home were killed before the suspect headed south, killing Duong.
Outside of that home, a memorial started to develop – on Wednesday, CTV News spoke to Duong’s pastor, who described her as joyous and friendly.
“It’s involved with so many deaths here, and Cyndi was one of our own so that is the pain and the loss of her, one of our members,” Thanh Le said. “It’s tremendous. It’s hard to describe [how] people are reacting or feeling.”
The bodies found in the north side home were discovered just after midnight Tuesday morning. The discovery followed a previous visit to the residence by officers several hours earlier, where an exterior check of the home revealed nothing suspicious. Police were called to the home initially after they received a call about a suicidal male.
When police did enter the home, following further investigation, they discovered the 7 bodies but not the suspect.
Officials said all of the adults killed in the incidents are between the ages of 25 and 50-years-old.
On Wednesday, neighbour Chris Li talked to CTV News about the deaths, and said the children that lived in the house always seemed happy and playful.
“They were nice, [the] wife was nice, kids were friendly, I’d see them running around in the summer, they were lovely kids,” Li said.
Neighbours identified the little boy as Elvis.
Later on, RCMP and EPS were called to downtown Fort Saskatchewan Tuesday morning, where a vehicle connected to the suspect was found. Officers blocked off access to the area and stormed a Vietnamese restaurant where they found the body of a man matching the description of the suicidal male.
Sources told CTV News that the man believed to be responsible for the deaths had been identified as Phu Lam, 53. Documents indicated Lam owned the home with Tien Truong.
According to sources, Truong was married to Lam, but said he would often hurt her. Truong reportedly told friends she had no money to move out.
Neighbours told CTV News they heard loud screams and arguements coming from the home.
Police Chief Rod Knecht described the case as “tragic incidents of domestic violence” - something addressed by Iveson.
In his statement, Iveson reached out to anyone “struggling to cope this holiday season”.
“I would encourage anyone who is struggling to cope this holiday season to reach out to friends and family for support. Professional counselling is available via Alberta Health Services’ Mental Health Helpline (1-877-303-2642) and the Crisis and Distress Line (780-482-4357). They also offer mobile response services at 780-342-7777.”
Autopsies on the victims are scheduled to take place New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day – police said further official information on the case isn’t expected until the New Year.
EPS said the identities of the deceased would not be released, until the cause of deaths can be confirmed, along with identities and notification of next of kin.
With files from Veronica Jubinville, Brenna Rose and Susan Amerongen
