Close X
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
ADVT 
National

Edmonton mass murder highlights need for awareness of domestic violence: police

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Jan, 2015 10:23 AM
  • Edmonton mass murder highlights need for awareness of domestic violence: police

EDMONTON — Police and community agencies say the recent mass murder of eight people in Edmonton underlines the need for more public awareness of domestic violence.

Staff Sgt. Sean Armstrong with the Edmonton police domestic offender crimes section told reporters Tuesday that family abuse is "everyone's responsibility" and doctors, neighbours and co-workers need to look for warning signs that someone might be in danger at home.

He also said there are many supports available for victims, if they really want help.

"You don't have to wait until things get out of control to contact someone," said Armstrong. "Don't wait until there's bruises and broken bones. Reach out ... There are plenty of resources to assist you, not just police."

Phu Lam gunned down seven people in his home on Dec. 28, including his wife, eight-year-old son and three-year-old niece.

Investigators have said the 53-year-old man spared two other children in the home — his one-year-old daughter and an eight-month-old nephew, and dropped them off at a relative's place the day after the massacre.

Hours later he shot a woman in another house where he was looking for someone else. He then killed himself in a restaurant in nearby Fort Saskatchewan, where he had worked as a maintenance man.

Court records show Lam's wife, 35-year-old Thuy Tien Truong, told police two years ago that her husband had DNA tests done that revealed their son was not his. He hurt her and threatened to kill her and her family, she said.

Her sister phoned police and Lam was charged with several offences. But Crown prosecutors have said several witnesses later recanted their stories and the charges were stayed. Truong had also been granted an emergency protection order against her husband but it was revoked when she failed to show up in court for a later hearing.

Armstrong said it's frustrating when victims change their minds but their decisions have to be respected.

"We do have victims in domestic violence who do want our services, so we turn our resources to those victims."

Edmonton police receive about 7,600 calls of domestic violence each year. Armstrong said while that number has remained static, the level of violence seems to be increasing.

The weekend following the mass murder, police received 15 domestic violence calls from across the city. Some involved alcohol and weapons, and in two cases there were very serious injuries, said Armstrong.

Debbie Clark with the Today Family Violence Help Centre said there was a spike in calls to her agency and others following the killings, but there is often an increase during the Christmas holidays. She said more funding and resources would help them do more work.

She hopes the crime will make everyone reflect on what they can do to combat domestic violence.

"There is help and we can each play a role in making sure that people are connected and they have supports to put a safety plan in place," she said.

"We keep our efforts focused on making sure we have the resources available for people when they need us and when they need us the most and to intervene as early as we can."

MORE National ARTICLES

Liberals Use Legislature To Set Stage For LNG, But Still No Deals

Liberals Use Legislature To Set Stage For LNG, But Still No Deals
VICTORIA — The stage has been set for the development of a liquefied natural gas industry by British Columbia's Liberal government, even though the first of what it says are 18 potential deals has yet to come to fruition.

Liberals Use Legislature To Set Stage For LNG, But Still No Deals

Advocates for sexual assault victims encouraged by Ghomeshi charges

Advocates for sexual assault victims encouraged by Ghomeshi charges
TORONTO — The sexual assault charges filed against former CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi offer tentative hope to those who fear their claims will be dismissed by an indifferent law enforcement system, victims' advocates said Wednesday.

Advocates for sexual assault victims encouraged by Ghomeshi charges

U.S. Ebola vaccine looks protective but may require high dose: study

U.S. Ebola vaccine looks protective but may require high dose: study
TORONTO — A single dose of a U.S.-designed Ebola vaccine may be protective against the disease, a new study suggests. But the research also appears to indicate that dose will have to be relatively large, which may present problems for the vaccine.

U.S. Ebola vaccine looks protective but may require high dose: study

1 In 3 Canadians Relying Strictly On Online Shopping For Holiday Gifts

1 In 3 Canadians Relying Strictly On Online Shopping For Holiday Gifts
TORONTO — A growing number of Canadians plan to do all of their holiday shopping online this year to avoid stepping foot in maddening malls, suggests a new survey commissioned by Google.

1 In 3 Canadians Relying Strictly On Online Shopping For Holiday Gifts

Mall shooter lied about fears to justify cold-blooded killing, prosecutor says

Mall shooter lied about fears to justify cold-blooded killing, prosecutor says
TORONTO — The man accused of a terrifying, deadly attack in a crowded downtown mall concocted a story about living in terror as a way to justify what was a cold-blooded killing, his first-degree murder trial heard Wednesday.

Mall shooter lied about fears to justify cold-blooded killing, prosecutor says

Student Of The Game: Stampeders' Cornish Says Every Move He Makes Is Planned

Student Of The Game: Stampeders' Cornish Says Every Move He Makes Is Planned
A student of the game, the Calgary Stampeders running back almost effortlessly slices through defences, but each juke or spin that leaves a defender grabbing at air has been researched and studied, with a story of its own.

Student Of The Game: Stampeders' Cornish Says Every Move He Makes Is Planned