Calgary police searching for suspect in car chase shooting and collision that killed mother
Police say there may have only been one suspect in stolen truck that fled scene
Calgary police continue to search for a suspect that fled the scene following a car chase and shooting in Forest Lawn that led to a multi-vehicle collision and the death of a mother of five kids Tuesday night.
According to police, occupants of a red Chevrolet Silverado and a grey Volkswagen Jetta were driving erratically and shooting at each other at about 11:10 p.m.
A short time later, the Silverado collided with a silver van being driven by Angela McKenzie, 40. She was declared dead at the scene. Police said she was an innocent victim of the incident and it did not appear her van was hit by any bullets.
The Jetta collided with a second vehicle, but the driver of that vehicle was not injured.
The individual who took off on foot from the Jetta was found nearby, police said. He had gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Stray bullets struck at least two nearby homes on 36th Street S.E. No one in those homes was injured, according to police.
Police initially described the incident as a case of road rage, however in a follow-up news release on Thursday it was described as shooting and collision investigation.
"We're still looking to determine the circumstances that led up to the shooting ... more information will come to light as the investigation progresses," said CPS spokesperson Tanja McMorris in an email to CBC News.
WATCH | CCTV footage shared by Calgary police captures a man they say fled the scene following a shooting and multi-vehicle crash:
Police said witnesses had told them two suspects had fled the Chevrolet Silverado, but there is now a possibility there may have only been one person in the stolen vehicle.
"Although original witness information indicated two suspects fled the offending vehicle, and through a review of CCTV to this point, it is undetermined if two people fled the vehicle. We have verified that the truck was stolen and have a description of the main suspect who fled the scene after the collision," said Staff Sgt Sean Gregson in a release on Thursday.
"This suspect remains at large, and we encourage anyone with information about their identity or whereabouts to contact police."
Police say the suspect they're looking for is a 25 to 30-year-old male, medium build and was wearing a baseball cap and carrying a laptop-style bag.
"Our hearts go out to Angela's family and friends at this difficult time and our focus remains on the identification of the driver of the truck in order to hold him responsible for this senseless death," said Gregson.
McKenzie left behind many family members and friends, including her five kids and her partner Jeffrey Poirier. The father of her children, Tyrel Shaw, died in February.
Shaw's family said in a statement Friday that the past three months have been "extremely difficult."
"There are no words that exist to sufficiently express the pain we are all feeling as a family or how this senseless tragedy has had a life-altering impact on our lives and on the lives of their five beautiful children," they wrote in a public statement.
"And while these wounds are still fresh, we are comforted in knowing that we are blessed by the legacy Angela and Tyrel left behind in their young family."
The Shaw family added they appreciate the outpouring of support from the community and asked for privacy for the children.
"Angela was taken from this earth far before her time by a senseless act of violence in which she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and as a result of this heinous incident, there are five children who now have to live the rest of their lives with the pain of losing both of their parents in a three month period. Those responsible have yet to be held accountable for their vile acts and reckless disregard for the safety of the general public."
Police are still investigating what lead to the shooting and collision, interviewing witnesses and combing through CCTV, cell phone and dashcam footage.
Police are asking anyone with cellphone or dashcam footage, or any information about the incident, to call the the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.