An Edmonton man is facing first-degree murder charges for allegedly killing an elderly couple in their North Central Edmonton home Friday afternoon.
Edmonton police is accusing 31-year-old Edward Kyle Roberts of breaking into a nearby residence to steal a knife that he then allegedly used to kill 93-year-old Joao Nascimento and 81-year-old Maria Nascimento.
Brian MacPhee, one of the couple's neighbors, told CTV Edmonton they were "good neighbours, quiet, always planted the garden, harvested the apple trees."
The Nascimentos were married for 40 years and had no children, EPS said.
Police believe that the suspect – who appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the arrest – did not know the victims.
“We believe that Mr. and Mrs. Nascimento, an elderly couple, were just sitting in their home peacefully when Mr. Roberts arrived at the door and forced his way in," EPS spokesperson Scott Pattison said. "It appears randomly targeted by this individual."
EPS responded to a residence near 111 Street and 111 Avenue at approximately 12:13 p.m. Friday, after residents alerted police that the suspect attempted to break into a number of homes in the area.
“They tried to break into a couple of neighbours’ houses, and they called the police,” MacPhee said.
“When the SWAT team came in, both of them were killed,” MacPhee said, who arrived at his home across the street around the same time as police.
Roberts – who is known to police – has also been charged with two counts of break and enter, possession of a weapon and breach of recognizance.
Police said there is no other risk to the neighborhood at this time.
“It’s a very quiet neighbour,” MacPhee said. “My kids used to play in the yard, play in the streets.”
Autopsies are scheduled for Tuesday morning.
With files from Angela Jung
