The shootings took place in the communities of Falconridge and Castleridge in the northeast of the city. Police say the accused was taken into custody on Sunday. Taylor Roan, 25, of Calgary, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the Falconridge shooting, and attempted murder and robbery with a firearm in connection with the Castleridge shooting. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 15.
CASTLERIDGE SHOOTING: VICTIM WAS A STRANGER
The first of the incidents happened in Castleridge on November 11. Police say they were called to the 0-100 block of Castleridge Close NE at 7 a.m. for reports of shots fired. Investigators believe the suspect confronted a stranger at his home, shot him and drove away in the man’s vehicle. Paramedics transported the victim to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound. At a news conference Monday, Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson said investigators believe robbery was the motive behind the shooting. Gregson said the victim was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Somebody was getting in their vehicle in the morning to go to work and our shooter used that as an opportunity to take a vehicle and that’s where the shooting happened.” The victim remains hospitalized in stable condition, Gregson said.
FALCON SHOOTING: VICTIM IDENTIFIED
The second shooting happened in Falconridge at 7:30 a.m. on November 12. Investigators responded to the 0-100 block of Falconridge Place NE for reports of shots fired. The victim, who had been shot, was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy performed Monday identified the victim as 41-year-old Nathan Ward of Calgary. His death marks Calgary’s 24th homicide of the year. Investigators believe Ward was an acquaintance of Roan’s, but are continuing to investigate their connection.
Shootings CONNECTED, POLICE SAY
On Monday, police confirmed that after looking into the connections between the two shootings, they determined they were related. “Early in our investigation, we noticed similarities between these two cases,” Gregson said. “When we had two shootings in two days that we thought were connected, that was a huge concern for us, it was a high priority.” Gregson noted that both the timing of the incidents and evidence recovered from the scenes led to the conclusion that they were related. “We’re very relieved that we were able to get (Roan) into custody fairly quickly,” Gregson said, adding that he is known to police. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Calgary police at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
