A police manhunt continues for a suspect wanted in connection to a fatal shooting east of Calgary last week, and police are now offering a cash reward for any tips that lead to his arrest.
Mounties are trying to find 28-year-old Elijah Blake Strawberry, who is wanted for murder in connection with the shooting at a rural intersection in Rocky View County on Aug. 6, that investigators believe started as a robbery.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz said Thursday a peaceful resolution is ideal to the nearly 10-day saga and made a plea for Strawberry to surrender to police.
“I offer the opportunity for him to turn himself in peacefully and safely, because that is always an option,” he said. “That is up to him.”
“With the dedication and efforts of our investigative teams, you will be found.”
On Sunday, RCMP arrested 35-year-old Edmonton resident Arthur Wayne Penner, with the help of Edmonton police. He remains in custody and has been charged with first degree murder and attempted murder.
The shooting north of Chestermere left one man dead and another with non-life-threatening injuries. The pair were identified as a Rocky View County worker and a FortisAlberta employee.
Police believe the two suspects fled the shooting scene in a stolen Rocky View County fleet vehicle that was later found abandoned in a rural area north of Strathmore.
Strawberry is described as having a light complexion, 6’1″ tall, 169 lbs, brown hair, with several arm and face tattoos. He is considered armed and dangerous and anyone who sees him is being advised to call 911.
Investigators don’t believe he is still in the Strathmore area but say he is likely still in the province.
RCMP say CrimeStoppers are now offering a $2,000 reward for anyone that provides a tip that leads to his arrest. Anyone with information on Strawberry’s whereabouts is being urged to contact police, or CrimeStoppers anonymously.