A man was shot and killed in the parking lot of a northwest Edmonton trades college Friday morning. The building went into lockdown, and homicide detectives took over the case.
Investigators are also looking into whether the shooting is connected to a separate police operation on Highway 16 in Parkland County, west of the city.
Our condolences go out to the man’s family and friends, and to the students, instructors and staff affected by Friday’s shooting.
Edmonton police said in a news release that officers were called to the area of 160 Street and 118 Avenue just before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
Officers found a man with life-threatening injuries outside Alberta Pipe Trades College. He died at the scene.
The EPS homicide section has taken over the investigation. Police haven’t released the man’s name or said what led to the shooting.
“At this early stage, investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” police said Friday afternoon.
Shooting forces Alberta Pipe Trades College into lockdown
The shooting happened as students and staff were arriving for the day.
Alberta Pipe Trades College trains people in the plumbing and pipefitting trades. It shares its building with United Association Local 488, the plumbers and pipefitters union.
In a statement, Local 488 business manager Rod McKay said the shooting happened in the union’s parking lot at about 8:20 a.m.
“As a precaution, our buildings remain under lockdown until further notice,” he said.
The union said the safety of its staff, instructors, members, students and visitors comes first. It said it was cooperating with police and asked people not to spread unverified information.
The parking lot stayed behind police tape as officers worked the scene. As of Friday afternoon, the union hadn’t said when classes would resume.
“I just sprinted”
Students arriving for class told reporters the gunfire came from the parking lot.
One student told Global News he was getting coffee from his car when he heard five or six shots. At first, he thought something had exploded.
Another student told CTV News he ran about 50 metres around the building to get inside. “Within a couple minutes, police were already here in the hallways,” he said.
Police haven’t commented on what students saw or heard.
Police investigate separate scene on Highway 16 in Parkland County
While homicide detectives worked at the college, RCMP were handling another police operation west of the city.
Parkland RCMP reported a heavy police presence near Highway 16 and Range Road 20, west of Stony Plain.
The eastbound lanes of Highway 16 were closed between Range Road 15 and Range Road 20, and one eastbound lane reopened at about 11 a.m. RCMP didn’t say what the operation was for.
Edmonton police say they’re working with RCMP to determine whether the events in Parkland County are connected to the fatal shooting at the college.
Police have not confirmed any connection between the two scenes.
Still unknown:
Who the man who was killed is
What led to the shooting, and whether it was targeted
Whether anyone has been arrested
What the Parkland County operation was about, and whether it’s connected
How Friday morning unfolded
According to Edmonton police, UA Local 488 and Parkland RCMP:
About 8:20 a.m.: A shooting happens in the Local 488 parking lot, according to the union.
Just before 8:30 a.m.: Edmonton police are called to a shooting near 160 Street and 118 Avenue.
Friday morning: Parkland RCMP report a police operation on Highway 16 near Range Road 20.
About 11 a.m.: One eastbound lane of Highway 16 reopens.
Friday afternoon: Edmonton police confirm the homicide section is investigating, and say they’re working with RCMP to determine whether the incidents are connected.
This timeline is based on what had been released publicly as of Friday afternoon.
Police asking anyone with information to come forward
Police are asking anyone who was near Alberta Pipe Trades College on Friday morning to come forward. That especially applies to anyone with dash cam or security camera video. If you have video, keep the original file.
Edmonton Police Service: 780-423-4567, or #377 from a cell phone
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477. Tips can be anonymous.
Police say they’ll release more information as the investigation continues.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information is confirmed.
Sources
Edmonton Police Service news release, Oct. 16, 2026
UA Local 488 statement, Oct. 16, 2026
Parkland RCMP traffic advisory, Oct. 16, 2026
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