Nearly $100,000 has been raised for an Airdrie resident’s family via a GoFundMe. Colin Hough, a Rocky View County employee, was fatally shot in a violent incident in Rocky View County earlier this month.
In an update posted to the crowdfunding website last week, Hough’s family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support.
“We chose to build a future in Rocky View County because of this kindness and sense of community. We are thankful for your compassion and for keeping Colin’s wife and children in your prayers. We now need some time to process our grief, so please know that we see all your generosity and gentle words. The future seems unimaginable without Colin, and these next few days will be some of the hardest. We hope you understand that we will not be available as we need some time to sort through private matters,” the update, posted on August 9, read.
Since the tragic shooting in rural Rocky View County, RCMP has arrested and charged 35-year-old Arthur Wayne Penner, a resident of Edmonton. Penner appeared in court yesterday and is charged with both first-degree murder and attempted murder of another individual in the shooting, which claimed Hough’s life and injured another man. Penner will appear in court next week on Tuesday.
While Penner remains in custody, police are continuing their search for another man wanted in the shooting: 28-year-old Elijah Blake Strawberry. There is an arrest warrant out for Strawberry, who is wanted for second-degree murder in connection with the shooting. On Thursday, Staff Sergeant and Detachment Commander of the Strathmore RCMP, Mark Wielgosz, stated that police believe Strawberry is still in Alberta and are continuing to look for him.
Strawberry is described as having a light complexion, being 6 feet 1 inch tall, 169 pounds, having several arm and face tattoos, and having brown hair. Mounties believe that he may be armed and dangerous and have advised the public not to approach him but to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Timeline of events
Earlier this week, police released a timeline of the active investigation.
August 6: According to police, around the noon hour, officers from the Strathmore RCMP received a report of two men who had been shot while doing work along a roadway on Township Road 250 and Range Road 281 in Rocky View County.
“Upon arriving on scene, emergency crews discovered that Colin Hough and a 39-year-old victim had both been shot during an attempted robbery by two, then unknown, individuals. The suspects burnt the stolen vehicle they arrived at the scene in and stole one of the victim’s Rocky View County pickup trucks. Responding officers were able to locate the suspects in the Rocky View County pickup truck and engage in a pursuit; however, the suspects successfully evaded police,” police stated in a news release.
Soon after, using the Rocky View County pick-up truck’s onboard GPS, police were able to locate the truck abandoned in a field near Range Road 252 and Township Road 260.
Police underlined that because they were faced with the potential of armed suspects in the area, RCMP issued a Police-Initiated Public Alert advising residents to shelter in place. Strathmore RCMP, with the assistance of its Emergency Response Team, Calgary Police TAC, Calgary Police Dog Service, the Alberta RCMP helicopter, Calgary HAWCS, drones, and neighbouring detachments, conducted a thorough search of the area.
“At this point, police had limited and vague descriptions of the suspects involved in the incident. Providing vague or potentially inaccurate information to the public about the suspects at this crucial time could have been misleading and potentially dangerous. After conducting a thorough search, RCMP was satisfied that the suspects could no longer be in the area and the immediate risk to residents had subsided. Police at this time lifted the shelter in place and continued to investigate.”
After continuing investigation, police learned that during an unrelated incident, the suspects were involved in a minor collision in Calgary, where their stolen vehicle was partially disabled. They then drove to where the shooting victims were working and attempted to steal a new vehicle. It was at this time both victims were shot.
August 8: RCMP determined that the 35-year-old Edmonton resident, Penner, was one of the suspects. Immediate action was taken to set up surveillance on the 35-year-old and liaise with Alberta Crown Prosecutors to obtain charge approvals. Once the approval was received, RCMP, with assistance from the Edmonton Police Service, safely arrested the 35-year-old in Edmonton.
August 11: Police identified Elijah Strawberry as the second suspect in this incident. After receiving crown approval, the RCMP obtained a warrant for his arrest.
“I want to assure everyone that the RCMP has done, and continue to do, everything in our power to swiftly investigate and arrest these dangerous suspects. I give my most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Colin Hough, who was out working and making a living when these individuals took his life,” Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz previously stated. “I also want the other victim in this tragedy to know that our thoughts are with him as well.”
Despite these charges, the RCMP’s investigation continues. They continue to work on identifying the occupants of the Black Volkswagen Jetta who may have witnessed this incident and ask that these individuals come forward.
“We believe that a quad stolen on August 7, at 1:34 p.m. in Wheatland County may be connected to our investigation. We ask that members of the public check their dash cam footage and surveillance cameras if they have seen the quad or its occupants,” police added.
Alberta RCMP is still seeking the public’s help with video footage and information surrounding this incident. If you have information about this incident or those responsible, please call the Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3535. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.P3Tips.com.
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