Sentencing underway for man who sold gun used to kill 2 Edmonton officers

A sentencing hearing is underway for a man convicted of manslaughter after he sold a gun to a teen who later used it to kill two Edmonton police officers. 

Dennis Okeymow was found guilty in May on 10 charges, including three counts of manslaughter and three counts of criminal negligence causing death.

Justice John Little said that while Okeymow didn't pull the trigger, by selling a semi-automatic rifle to 16-year-old Roman Shewchuk, the man knew or should have known something terrible could result.

Okeymow was charged in the 2023 deaths of constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan, as well as the teen.

The officers were responding to a domestic disturbance at an apartment building, when the boy ambushed and shot them then took his own life. 

Court also heard that days earlier the teen had used the gun to shoot a man in the head at a pizza shop.

Richard Albert, who didn't know the boy, survived but suffered serious and permanent injuries.

By Daniela Germano | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.