Suspects in West Edmonton Mall, lounge shootings among Canada's most wanted
File photo of Leron Andrew John, accused of firing a gun in the Aug. 21, 2023, shooting at West Edmonton Mall. (Source: Edmonton Police Service)
Edmonton police on Wednesday released the name and photo of a man wanted across the country for his alleged role in the 2023 shooting at West Edmonton Mall.
Leron Andrew John, 24, is charged with discharging a firearm with intent, reckless discharging of a firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, and altering the serial number of a firearm.
Police do not know where he is.
Three people were shot in one of West Edmonton Mall's parkades on Aug. 21, 2023. At the time, investigators believed the shooting was targeted. They said one group was waiting outside for the other group to leave the mall. Three of the four people in the targeted group were shot. Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has not released any other details about the attacking group. The shooting and subsequent exchange of gunfire prompted a lockdown of about two-and-a-half hours.
In a statement Thursday, a spokesperson told CTV News Edmonton that EPS obtained warrants for John's arrest in May after "extensively" searching for him.
"Investigators have been diligently working on this file since the shooting occurred and have now reached a point where the investigation wil benefit from public assistance," Cheryl Voordenhout wrote in a statement about EPS withholding John's name until Wednesday, when he was announced as one of the top 25 most-wanted people in Canada
She said there were no other warrants issued in relation to the shooting but that the case is "being actively investigated and future charges against additional individuals may result."
The only other person wanted by EPS to make the Bolo Program's list was Saed Osman, a murder suspect in the 2022 mass shooting at Edmonton's Ertale Lounge. He has been on the list since 2022.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Norovirus cases are rising in Canada. Here's advice from a doctor
Canadian health officials are reporting a rising number of cases of the highly contagious norovirus disease in Canada, warning that the elderly and young children are most at risk.
Canada and U.S. warships join forces in South China Sea through contested waters
The United States Navy's USS Higgins joined HMCS Ottawa in the South China Sea, near the contested Scarborough Shoal, on Thursday. The two warships travelled south together towards the Spratly Islands – a number of which China has militarized.
Alberta premier talks about 'tariff-free relationship' with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, but the leader's tariff threat has not been averted.
Progress made in talks over Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release, officials say
U.S. and Arab mediators made significant progress overnight toward brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of scores of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but a deal hasn't been reached yet, officials said Monday.
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
Canada Post stamps just got more expensive
Canada Post is raising the price of stamps, starting today. Stamps purchased in a booklet, coil or pane will cost 25 cents more at $1.24 per stamp. The price of a single domestic stamp is now $1.44, up from $1.15.
Teenager stabbed during altercation inside Hillcrest High School
Two people were seriously injured during an altercation at an Ottawa high school on Monday morning.
Ottawa driver's Jaguar SUV held for months during dispute between tow truck company, insurance provider
An Ottawa driver is speaking out after her vehicle was towed from a crash scene in early November and held for months during a dispute between a local tow truck company and insurance provider.
Weekend announcements narrow field of high-profile Liberal leadership prospects
As a race to elect a new Liberal leader quickly approaches, a high-profile candidate appears set to throw their hat into the ring.
Calgary
-
Alberta premier talks about 'tariff-free relationship' with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, but the leader's tariff threat has not been averted.
-
Alberta to announce wildfire season preparations for Bow Valley
Alberta is set to announce plans to safeguard against wildfires in the Bow Valley area.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Overnight lows to be above freezing for part of this week
A warmer weather pattern is setting up across the west with a ridge of high pressure along the Pacific coastline continuing to support strong westerly flow onshore from California through to British Columbia.
Lethbridge
-
Alberta to announce wildfire season preparations for Bow Valley
Alberta is set to announce plans to safeguard against wildfires in the Bow Valley area.
-
'Good neighbours': Montana residents share thoughts on Trump's '51st state' threat
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to annex Canada, some residents in Montana are sharing their thoughts on the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
-
Man dies after falling into sink hole at Fernie Alpine Resort
An investigation is underway by Elk Valley RCMP after a man died Wednesday after falling into a sink hole at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Saskatoon
-
Driver killed in single-vehicle crash in Stonebridge on Sunday, police say
Saskatoon police say a driver was killed in an early-morning crash in Stonebridge on Sunday.
-
Two charged after alleged smuggling of illegal guns into Canada south of Val Marie, Sask.
RCMP say two 19-year-old men are facing multiple weapons charges after they were discovered crossing into and out of the United States illegally south of Val Marie, Sask., allegedly smuggling guns.
-
New Sask. Marshals Service looks to fill open jobs with local Mounties ahead of launch
Saskatchewan's new provincial police force is preparing to launch this year and has already begun interviewing Mounties for the open jobs.
Regina
-
Two charged after alleged smuggling of illegal guns into Canada south of Val Marie, Sask.
RCMP say two 19-year-old men are facing multiple weapons charges after they were discovered crossing into and out of the United States illegally south of Val Marie, Sask., allegedly smuggling guns.
-
Team Canada takes gold at U18 women's hockey worlds, Sask.'s Zablocki leads scoring
For the third time in four years, Canada has brought home gold from the Under-18 Women's World Championships – with help from Saskatchewan's own Stryker Zablocki.
-
'It gives me freedom': Local organization giving people with disabilities chance to hit the slopes
The Regina Ski Club is ensuring everyone has a chance to hit the slopes this winter.
Vancouver
-
Langley RCMP issue 120 speeding tickets during 3-week blitz
Mounties in Langley, B.C., are urging drivers to slow down after officers handed out 120 speeding tickets during a recent three-week enforcement blitz.
-
Crews rescue unconscious skier after fall on Vancouver Island mountain
Search and rescue crews successfully extracted a seriously injured skier off a B.C. mountain over the weekend.
-
Extreme weather fallout: Experts warn Canadian home insurance premiums to rise this year
As California deals with devastating wildfires, experts are warning homeowners about the impact of severe weather in Canada this year.
Vancouver Island
-
Crews rescue unconscious skier after fall on Vancouver Island mountain
Search and rescue crews successfully extracted a seriously injured skier off a B.C. mountain over the weekend.
-
Langley RCMP issue 120 speeding tickets during 3-week blitz
Mounties in Langley, B.C., are urging drivers to slow down after officers handed out 120 speeding tickets during a recent three-week enforcement blitz.
-
Extreme weather fallout: Experts warn Canadian home insurance premiums to rise this year
As California deals with devastating wildfires, experts are warning homeowners about the impact of severe weather in Canada this year.
Toronto
-
SIU probing death of woman who fell from Toronto apartment building
The province’s police watchdog is investigating the death of a 44-year-old woman who investigators say fell while attempting to scale down a Toronto apartment building early Monday morning.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Toronto staff propose 6.9 per cent tax bump, including city building levy
City of Toronto staff are proposing a property tax increase of 5.4 per cent in the latest city budget.
-
QEW crash leaves 9-year-old boy dead, driver seriously injured
A nine-year-old boy is dead following a single-vehicle rollover on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Oakville on Monday, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Montreal
-
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
-
Quebec Liberal Party leadership race officially begins
The Quebec Liberal Party leadership race is officially getting underway.
-
Uncashed cheques from Quebec or Canada? Here's how to get your money
Taxpayers' money may be sitting in Revenu Quebec or Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) coffers and it’s simple to find. Both agencies have online tools to recoup unclaimed property or cheques.
Atlantic
-
Girl, 6, dies following house fire in Lower Sackville, N.S.
A six-year-old girl has died following a house fire in Lower Sackville, N.S., over the weekend, according to an online fundraiser for her family.
-
N.S. man charged with murder in fatal Centreville fire; woman's death suspected intimate partner violence
A man has been charged with second-degree murder following a suspicious fire and death in Centreville, N.S., early Saturday morning.
-
Friend of fatally stabbed Halifax teen changes his testimony in youth court
The trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the fatal stabbing last year of a 16-year-old student heard Monday from one of the victim's close friends.
Winnipeg
-
'He was a genius': Family remembers man who died waiting for care in Winnipeg ER
The sister of a man who died waiting for care in the emergency department of Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC) is remembering her late brother as an intelligent person with a bold personality
-
High-risk offender back behind bars
A high-risk offender, who was recently released from jail, is back behind bars.
-
The rare comet that may become visible in Manitoba this week
A rare comet is expected to light up the sky this week, though it’s still unknown if it will be visible here on earth.
Ottawa
-
Teenager stabbed during altercation inside Hillcrest High School
Two people were seriously injured during an altercation at an Ottawa high school on Monday morning.
-
Ottawa driver's Jaguar SUV held for months during dispute between tow truck company, insurance provider
An Ottawa driver is speaking out after her vehicle was towed from a crash scene in early November and held for months during a dispute between a local tow truck company and insurance provider.
-
No injuries reported after OC Transpo bus collides with hydro pole Sunday
An OC Transpo bus slipped off the road and collided with a hydro pole near a home in Ottawa's east end on Sunday morning.
Northern Ontario
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
Female pedestrian, 26, killed in Naughton area crash in Greater Sudbury
Greater Sudbury police are investigating after a 26-year-old female pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in the Naughton area Monday morning.
-
Lone sailor trapped in ice sparks concern in Southern Georgian Bay
A lone sailor living on a sailboat trapped in the Georgian Bay ice has sparked concern among Penetanguishene residents.
Barrie
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
Firefighters use defensive attack in intense house fire
Barrie firefighters are on the scene of an intense structure fire on Jones Drive.
-
Snow squall warnings issued by Environment Canada
Snow squall warnings are in place for two distinct regions of central Ontario.
Kitchener
-
OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs sold to Zach Hyman and family
Effective Jan. 16, Hyman will officially assume control of the organization’s operations, ushering in a new chapter for the beloved hockey team.
-
Suspicious mattress fire causes 'significant smoke damage' in Guelph
Just before 7 p.m., police were asked to assist the fire department at an apartment near Waterloo Avenue and Beechwood Avenue.
-
Grand River Transit celebrates 25 years of connecting Waterloo Region
Established on January 1, 2000, following the merger of Cambridge Transit and Kitchener Transit, GRT has become a cornerstone of the community, connecting people in the region.
London
-
Gas line repaired after being struck in London
Crews are on scene in the area of Highbury Avenue and Oxford Street after an excavator struck the line Monday morning.
-
Young woman kidnapped from her Sarnia home, held against her will
A young woman in Sarnia was kidnapped and threatened with an axe following a violent break and enter in the city on Friday.
-
Police warn of counterfeit bills circulating in Woodstock
According to Woodstock police, two women were apprehended circulating counterfeit bills at stores in the city this week.
Windsor
-
Fatal crash being investigated in Windsor
Just after midnight on Monday, officers were called to the scene at the intersection of Wyandotte Street East and Raymo Road for a single-vehicle collisions.
-
Murder suspect rearrested in Windsor
The Windsor and LaSalle police rearrested a 24-year-old woman who was previously charged with first-degree murder.
-
Windsor-Essex school boards sign joint letter, opposing elimination of school bus extras
Both English school boards in Windsor-Essex have sent a joint letter to city council, urging them to reject a proposed recommendation to eliminate "extra" transit routes for students as a cost-saving measure in the 2025 budget.
