Youth faces murder charge, victim also homicide suspect

City police have charged a 17-year-old girl with second-degree murder in connection with Edmonton’s 14^th homicide of the year.

According to police, on Monday, August 31 at about 3:30 a.m., Shawn Richard, 32, was found dead lying in the middle of 95 Street between 117 and 118 Avenues.

EPS said the Edmonton Medical Examiner’s Office had determined Richard died as a result of a stab wound to the chest.

Homicide detectives arrested and charged the youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada, late Friday night with second-degree murder, possession of a weapon, and robbery.

According to EPS homicide Staff Sgt. Bill Clark, the young girl and Richard knew each other.

“…through their street dealings with one another - a lot of people knew Mr. Richard. [He] was involved in the drug trade,” Clark told CTV News.

Officials also said prior to his death, Richard had been identified as the primary suspect in the June 4 murder of Claudia Iron-Howard, Edmonton’s ninth homicide of 2015.

“Mr. Richard stabbed and killed Claudia Iron-Howard in the area of 105 Avenue and 103 Street,” explained Clark.

“We were just developing the evidence and had enough evidence to charge Mr. Richard - so he would have been charged with that offence,” he said. “We are now clearing that homicide as a result of his death.”