While conducting traffic checks for the Oilers hockey game near Rogers Place on Thursday night, Edmonton police officers witnessed a man firing several times at another man.
According to an EPS statement, it happened at 11:15 pm near 103rd Street and 103rd Avenue.
By then, the Battle of Alberta game was over, and thousands of jubilant sports fans were leaving the arena vigil party across the street.
Read more: Edmonton Oilers advance to West Finals with OT victory over Flames
Jason Parent was in his room at the nearby Crash Hotel Thursday night, preparing to leave when he heard noises from outside.
“I heard several shots, probably four or five,” he said. “I looked at my wife, we looked at each other, we were panicking if we had to go out or not.”
The story continues under the ad
The father ended up going out to see what was going on and said that the police had not yet arrived at the scene.
Two men tried to flee, the EPS said, but were chased by officers and detained moments later near 103A Street and 103rd Avenue.
A firearm was found nearby. Ammunition and drugs were also found after one of the men was arrested.
Police said people who were in the area after the hockey game were not injured.
Officers are still searching for the man they believe was the target of the shooting.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested and is still in police custody. He faces several charges, EPS said. The other man has since been released without charge.
Investigators have determined that the recovered weapon was stolen. This event is not believed to be related to the game of hockey.
– More to come…
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.