Edmonton
LISTEN: Episode 5 – Ask Dr. Ganz explore “life change” and how it can be like …a spiderweb?
Episode 5: Life change can be like a spiderweb – it’s hard to describe, but we will take you down a positive path with this podcast.
You’ve likely caught Dr. Ganz on a variety of media outlets over the past decade and a half. He’s a sought after guest – a very knowledgable speaker. Now you can enjoy and learn from him on his new podcast “Ask Dr. Ganz”.
Ask Dr. Ganz
Ask Dr. Ganz is hosted by Bryn Griffiths
About Dr. Ganz Ferrance, in his words:
“..I am an International speaker, author, entrepreneur. I have a PhD in Counselling Psychology and an MA in Developmental Psychology from Andrews University in Michigan. I’m also the former Public Education Director and Vice-President of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta.
Since 1991 I’ve been helping individuals, couples, families, and corporations reduce their levels of STRESS, improve their relationships, and enjoy more success.
I’ve been in the media a lot since 2003 having been interviewed by The Edmonton Journal, CBC Radio, 630 CHED, Good Morning Canada, CTV News, Psychology Today, Ebony magazine, Bloomberg Business Radio Network, and many other media outlets. I hold the John C. Patterson Media Award from the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta and the Rosalina Smith Award from the National Black Coalition of Canada for Exceptional and Prolonged Service from an Individual from the Black Community Conducting a Business.
My deep belief in “positive psychology” helps YOU be the best version of yourself. My style is straightforward, down-to-earth, and no-nonsense. I pride myself on being a fellow “work-in-progress” and do not present anything that I have not personally put my blood, sweat and tears into. This approach has made ME a sought-after public speaker – with audiences in the United States and Canada enjoying my fun, engaging and life-changing presentations on beating STRESS and building superior relationships. I also have a black belt in karate and am currently studying Aikido. I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with my wife and two children…”
Ask Dr. Ganz is hosted and produced by Bryn Griffiths
From the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
“One of the victims, a 13-year-old girl, was part of a missing persons investigation earlier in the year”
Four teens have been rescued following an ALERT Human Trafficking investigation in Edmonton. Two men and a 17-year-old face a total of 48 charges.
ALERT’s Human Trafficking unit charged three suspects on October 12, 2023 in a case that dates back several months and involved underage victims. ALERT alleges that the youths were recruited and groomed into working in the sex trade and were being sexually exploited at a local hotel.
One of the victims, a 13-year-old girl, was part of a missing persons investigation earlier in the year. ALERT worked with the Edmonton Police Service on the case, which also led to the identification of other youth victims.
“These youths met their perpetrators over social media and were lured and groomed into working in the sex industry. As is often the case, there are a bunch of false promises of money, relationships, gifts, but those never seem to materialize and these survivors endure tremendous hardship,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Hayes, ALERT Human Trafficking.
All four survivors are receiving the appropriate supports and resources with partner agencies.
Obinna Nwanekezi, 19 years old, faces 22 charges, including:
- Trafficking a person under 18;
- Procuring a person under 18;
- Luring a child;
- Sexual exploitation;
- Material benefit from trafficking a person under 18;
- Making child pornography;
- Distributing child pornography;
- Possessing child pornography;
- Agreement/arrangement of sexual offence against child; and
- Assault.
Jelani Ried, 19 years old, faces 21 charges, including:
- Trafficking a person under 18;
- Procuring a person under 18;
- Luring a child;
- Sexual exploitation;
- Material benefit from trafficking a person under 18;
- Making child pornography;
- Distributing child pornography;
- Possessing child pornography; and
- Agreement/arrangement of sexual offence against child.
Five additional charges have been laid against a 17-year-old youth who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. They have been released with conditions.
ALERT encourages anyone who believes they are a victim of sexual assault or abuse to report it to police. Victims of sexual exploitation can report it to the Edmonton Police Service by calling 780-423-4567, or 9-1-1 if they are in immediate danger. Alternatively, anyone seeking supports is encouraged to contact the Safety Network Coordinator with CEASE at 780-471-6137. There is no time limit on how long a victim has to report a sexual assault in Canada.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.
ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.
Alberta
Edmonton Police charge 19 year old with trafficking gun used to kill Constables Jordan and Ryan
From the Edmonton Police Service
Charges laid in line of duty deaths
The EPS Firearms Investigations Unit (FIU) has completed their investigation into the origins of the firearm used in the Mar. 16, 2023, officer deaths.
Following the shooting deaths of Const. Brett Ryan and Const. Travis Jordan, FIU launched an investigation into the origins of the gun used by the 16-year-old male shooter.
Early in the investigation, detectives determined a bullet cartridge casing recovered from the scene of a Mar. 12, 2023, shooting at a nearby restaurant (133 Street and 114 Avenue) was forensically matched to the firearm that was recovered at the 132 Street and 114 Avenue apartment where both officers were tragically murdered. Investigators have since confirmed that the suspect in both shootings was the same.
Following several months of extensive investigation, FIU determined that Dennis Okeymow, 19, trafficked the firearm used in both shootings directly to the 16-year-old male shooter prior to Mar. 12.
On. Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, police conducted search warrants on Okeymow’s residence, vehicles and cell phone. Okeymow was arrested without incident from the residence and police seized a stolen loaded handgun, ammunition, illegal drugs, $10,000 in cash and other items indicative of drug trafficking.
Okeymow is charged with:
- manslaughter (x3) and criminal negligence causing death (x3) in relation to the deaths of Const. Ryan, Const. Jordan and the 16-year-old male shooter
- criminal negligence causing bodily harm (x2) in relation to the man injured in the restaurant shooting on Mar. 12 and the youth’s mother, who was injured during the Mar. 16 shooting
- firearms trafficking
- unauthorized possession of a firearm
- possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- ·other drug trafficking related charges
“In my 20 years in this career, this is the most complex and tragic file I have worked on,” says Staff Sergeant Eric Stewart with the EPS Guns and Gangs Section. “It’s heartbreaking that the trafficking of a firearm has led to multiple deaths and life-altering injuries.”
“The trauma suffered by the impacted families as a result of this one simple transaction is unthinkable.”
FIU would like to thank the RCMP, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) and the many dedicated members of the EPS who assisted with this investigation.
Background information
On Sunday, Mar. 12, 2023, at approximately 12:25 a.m., a lone male suspect entered a pizza restaurant in the area of 133 Street and 114 Avenue carrying a firearm. The suspect shot a male employee and then fled the location. EMS attended and transported the injured 55-year-old male to hospital with serious life-threatening injuries.
At approximately 12:47 a.m. on Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023, Const. Travis Jordan and Const. Brett Ryan responded to a family dispute call in an apartment complex near 114 Avenue and 132 Street.
When the two officers arrived, they were met by a 55-year-old female complainant outside of the complex. The two officers then responded to the suite where she resided with her 73-year-old male partner and their 16-year-old son.
Immediately upon arriving at the suite, both constables were shot multiple times by the youth and were immediately incapacitated. The youth then reportedly shot his mother before turning the firearm on himself, taking his own life. The father was not physically injured during the shootings. Neither officer discharged their firearm.
Following 911 calls by multiple reporters, additional police and EMS arrived. One of the injured officers was transported in a police vehicle to hospital, while the other injured officer was taken by ambulance. The female complainant was taken by ambulance to hospital. Soon after arriving at the hospital, both officers were declared deceased.
On Saturday, Mar. 18, 2023, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton conducted autopsies on both officers. In both cases the cause of death was confirmed to be gunshot wounds with the manner of death being homicide.
On Mar. 22, 2023, the Edmonton Medical Examiner confirmed that the 16-year-old male shooter’s cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head consistent with being self-inflicted.
The 55-year-old man shot in the restaurant on Mar. 12 survived, but suffered life-altering injuries. The youth’s mother continues to recover from her injuries.
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