UPDATE #6: Following an intense search and multiple pleas for information, on Sept.. 13, 2024, just after 1 p.m., members of the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit successfully and safely arrested 28-year-old Elijah Blake Strawberry at a residence on O’Chiese First Nation.
Strawberry will be taken before a justice of the peace to determine his release status and future court date.
With this arrest, the Alberta RCMP are confident that both suspects involved in the Aug. 6, 2024, homicide of Colin John Hough and the attempted murder of another individual are in custody.
“We received tips and information from the public over the course of the last few weeks and the arrest of Elijah Strawberry serves as a reminder of the value of public assistance in maintaining public safety, “ says Chief Superintendent Roberta McKale, “The Alberta RCMP had a significant coordinated effort with many different units engaged from across the Province offering thousands of work hours to locate and arrest Elijah Strawberry. I would like to thank our dedicated officers from the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit as well as all other support Units who worked tirelessly to this point and will continue to work on this investigation now that Elijah Strawberry is in custody. I would also like to thank our partners from Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge Police Services, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, and the provincial Sheriffs who all assisted in our efforts to locate this offender.”
Despite the arrests of Arthur Penner and Elijah Strawberry, the investigation into this matter continues. The RCMP asks anyone with information about these crimes to come forward.
UPDATE #5: The Alberta RCMP have now laid charges in connection with the tragic shooting which occurred in Rocky View County on Aug. 6, 2024. RCMP have charged Edmonton resident 35-year-old Arthur Wayne Penner with the first-degree-murder of Airdrie resident Colin John Hough as well as attempted murder of another individual. Penner has been arrested and taken before a justice of the peace. He has been remanded into custody with his next court date set for Aug. 15, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie.
Additionally, RCMP continue to search for the second suspect in the shooting. Elijah Blake Strawberry, 28-years-old, now has a warrant for his arrest for the second-degree-murder of Colin Hough. RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Strawberry.
Elijah Strawberry is described as:
- Light complexion
- 6 feet 1 inch tall
- 169 pounds
- Several arm and face tattoos.
- Brown Hair
Elijah Strawberry is considered armed and dangerous. If seen do not approach dial 911 immediately.
The Alberta RCMP wish to offer a timeline into the investigation that led to both an arrest and a warrant for arrest.
On Aug. 6, 2024, around 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 to the scene in, and stole one of the victim’s Rocky View County pick-up trucks.
Responding officers were able locate the suspects in the Rocky View County pick up truck and engaged in a pursuit, however the suspects were successful in evading police.
Soon after, using the Rocky View County pick-up truck on-board GPS, police were able to locate the truck abandoned in a field in the area of Range Road 252 and Township Road 260. Faced with the potential of armed suspects in area, RCMP issued a Police-Initiated Public Alert advising residents in the area to shelter in place. Strathmore RCMP, with assistance of our 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 in time 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 were 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 continued investigation, police learned that the suspects, during an unrelated incident, were involved in a minor collision in Calgary in which the stolen vehicle they were driving 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.
On Aug. 8, 2024, RCMP determined that Arthur Wayne Penner was one of the suspects. Immediate actions were taken to set up surveillance on Penner and liaise with Alberta Crown Prosecutors to obtained charge approvals. Once the approval was received, RCMP with assistance from Edmonton Police Service, safety arrested Penner in Edmonton.
On Aug. 11, 2024, police identified Elijah Strawberry as the second suspect in this incident. Today, after receiving crown approval, RCMP have obtained a warrant for his arrest. We ask that anyone who sees him or as information about his whereabouts call 911.
“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,” says Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz, “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:
- We continue to work at identifying the occupants of Black Volkswagen Jetta as they may have witnessed this incident. We ask for these individuals to come forward.
- We believe that a quad stolen on Aug. 7, 2024, a 1:34 p.m. in Wheatland County maybe be connected to our investigation. We ask that members of public check their dash cam footage and surveillance cameras if they have seen the quad or its occupants.
Elijah Strawberry is considered armed and dangerous. If seen do no approach – dial 911 immediately. Alberta RCMP are still seeking 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. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
UPDATE #4: RCMP were searching for a stolen quad that had been reported stolen on August 7th at 1:34 PM from a property in Wheatland County. A witness saw a male driving this stolen quad.
RCMP Major Crimes Unit and Strathmore RCMP advise that the stolen quad has been discovered. It was located abandoned in the Didsbury area. RCMP would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation.
RCMP is following up on all potential leads and cannot confirm at this time whether the quad incident is connected to the homicide investigation.
UPDATE #3: RCMP Major Crimes Unit and Strathmore RCMP are seeking public assistance in identifying a person of interest in the homicide investigation which occurred in Rocky View County on Aug. 6, 2024.
Please see the attached picture of this person of interest. RCMP believe this person may have information which can assist them in this investigation. He was seen in Cochrane on Aug. 5, 2024, between 7 and 8 a.m. If you can identify this male, please contact Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3968. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
We have a significant number of resources throughout the Province focused on apprehending these subjects and on protecting the public. We ask that the public remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or tips to the Strathmore RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
UPDATE #2:RCMP Major Crimes Unit and Strathmore RCMP are still diligently investing the tragic shooting which occurred in Rocky View County on Aug. 6, 2024. There was a potential witness to the shooting and RCMP is seeking public assistance in identifying them.
Strathmore RCMP are looking for the drivers of this SUV as they may have been a witness to the shooting on Tuesday morning; Image courtesy of Strathmore RCMP
In the attached picture, you can see what is believed to be a dark grey colored Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon, potentially between 2013 and 2015. This car was captured on dash cam video driving past the scene at Range Road 282 and Township Road 250, at the same time the shooting occurred, on Aug. 6 at 11:55 a.m. RCMP need to speak to the occupants of this car. It could be critical in obtaining important information for this investigation.
If you are the owner of this car or know who may be, please contact Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3968. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
Please note that RCMP is not looking for the Dodge Ram with teal rims, rather any information of the trucks whereabouts/who was driving it, between Aug. 5, 2024, at 5:55 a.m. and Aug. 6, 2024 at 11:55 a.m.
UPDATE: RCMP Major Crimes Unit and Strathmore RCMP continue to investigate the tragic shooting which occurred yesterday in Rocky View County. Through investigation, a vehicle of interest has been identified.
Strathmore RCMP are looking for information on the above vehicle and if you have seen it between Monday morning at 5:55 and the time of the shooting on Tuesday morning at 11:56; Image courtesy of Strathmore RCMP
This vehicle is a white 2013 Dodge Ram with teal aftermarket rims and shell shaped lug nuts. It was stolen from a residence in the 400 block of Abadan Place N.E. Calgary on Aug. 5, 2024, at 5:55 a.m. RCMP believe this truck is connected to this homicide investigation and we are seeking public assistance to identify any video footage of this vehicle or the subjects who were in it, between the time of its theft up to the time the shooting occurred, which was Aug. 6 at approximately 11:56 a.m.
RCMP have numerous resources continuing with this investigation. As soon as more details become available, a further update will be sent.
——————————————————————
At approximately 11:56 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, Strathmore RCMP responded to a report of a shooting at Range Road 282 and Township Road 250, located in Rocky View County. Upon arrival, it was discovered two individuals had been shot, one superficially, the other was fatally wounded.
After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in a stolen Rocky View County work truck. They dumped the truck at Range Road 260 and Township Road 252, located in Wheatland County, and fled the scene. RCMP quickly located this vehicle and a search of the area was conducted with assistance from numerous RCMP Detachments, Police Dog Services, RCMP Emergency Response Team as well as Calgary Tactical Team and HAWCS from Calgary City Police. A shelter in place was issued for residents in this area at 1:08 p.m. A thorough search was completed and the suspects were not located. At 4:34 p.m., the shelter in place was lifted.
RCMP is seeking anyone who may have witnessed either event, especially if they have dash cam video, between 11:50 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., to please contact Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3968 or Crime Stoppers. A photo of the truck which the suspects stole from the scene of the shooting is enclosed.
DO NOT approach the suspects if encountered. They are considered armed and dangerous.
-Submitted by Strathmore RCMP-
Comments