2014 Edmonton Shooting
Mass Murder Spree
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
TIME PERIOD
December 29, 2014
VICTIMS
8 confirmed
On December 29, 2014, Phu Lam, a 53-year-old male with a history of criminal offenses, perpetrated a shooting spree in Edmonton, Alberta, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including two children, most of whom were his relatives. The initial shootings occurred at a residence in north Edmonton, where Lam killed seven family members, and subsequently at a second home in the Haddow neighborhood, where he shot Cyndi Duong, 36. Following these attacks, Lam drove to VN Express, a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan, where he committed suicide by firearm. Police discovered his body at 7:34 a.m. on December 30, 2014. The incident is classified as a mass murder, familicide, and murder-suicide, with Lam utilizing a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
Phu Lam's shooting spree is believed to have been motivated by personal grievances against his family, with some speculating that longstanding disputes may have led to the tragic events. There are theories that Lam's mental health issues played a significant role in his actions, as well as speculation regarding the impact of financial stress related to his professional life. The fact that he had access to the restaurant after hours has led to discussions about whether this was premeditated or a spur-of-the-moment decision influenced by his emotional state.
The Tragedy of the 2014 Edmonton Shooting
A Chilling December Day
On December 29, 2014, the residents of Edmonton, Alberta, were shaken by a harrowing spree of violence that left nine people dead, including the perpetrator. The man behind this tragedy was Phu Lam, a 53-year-old with a tortured past and a troubled present. What began as a seemingly ordinary day in Edmonton quickly turned into a nightmare, as Lam embarked on a calculated killing spree that would devastate families and communities alike.
The Sequence of Violence
Lam's rampage commenced in a quiet house located in the Klarvatten area of north Edmonton. Inside, he turned his weapon, a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, on seven of his relatives. Among the victims were his wife, Thuy-tien Truong, affectionately known as Tien Truong, and her eight-year-old son, Elvis Lam. His wife’s parents, Van-dang Truong and Thi-dau Le, both 55, also fell victim to his violence, along with her sister Thanh-ha-thi Truong, known as Ha Truong, and Ha's three-year-old daughter, Valentina Nguyen. The tragic list included Viet Nguyen, a 41-year-old male friend of Tien Truong.
After this horrific act, Lam made his way to another residence in the Haddow neighborhood of Edmonton. Here, he took the life of 36-year-old Cyndi Duong, marking the eighth victim of his deadly spree.
The Final Act
Lam's final destination was a Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan, northeast of Edmonton. Known as VN Express, this was a place where Lam had access after hours, ostensibly to perform kitchen repairs. It was here, in the eerie quiet of the early morning on December 30, that Lam turned the gun on himself, ending his life. When police entered the restaurant at 7:34 a.m., they discovered Lam's body, bringing an end to the killing spree.
Phu Lam: A Troubled Past
Phu Lam's life was marked by a series of unfortunate events and poor choices. Born and raised in Vietnam, he moved to Canada in 1979. Lam's criminal record, stretching back to 1987, was a testament to his troubled nature, featuring offenses related to drugs and violence. In 2000, during a visit to his homeland, he met his future wife, who was 18 years his junior. They married six months later, and she joined him in Canada in 2003.
By 2014, Lam was embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings, burdened by substantial debts across a dozen credit cards, driven by a debilitating gambling addiction. His history of violence was further evidenced by arrests in Edmonton for sexual and domestic assault. The handgun he used in his final act of violence was registered in 1997 but had been reported stolen from Surrey, British Columbia, in 2006.
Lam's volatility was no secret. As early as November 2012, he had been reported for threatening to kill his ex-wife, Thuy Tien Truong, and five other relatives. Yet, despite these alarming warning signs, the tragic events of December 29 were not prevented.
Aftermath and Reflection
In the wake of this senseless act of violence, the community of Edmonton was left grappling with grief and unanswered questions. The tragedy underscored the pressing issues of domestic violence and gun control, casting a spotlight on the gaps in systems meant to protect the vulnerable.
Connections to Other Tragedies
This horrific event drew inevitable comparisons to other acts of violence in Canadian history, such as the 2014 Calgary stabbing and the Claresholm highway massacre, each leaving indelible marks on the national consciousness.
Sources
- "Shooter in Edmonton mass murder had history of domestic violence", CTVNews, December 31, 2014.
- "Edmonton Shootings 'Planned And Deliberate,' Says Police Chief", The Huffington Post.
- Klinkenberg, Marty; Wittmeier, Brent; Klingbeil, Cailynn; Otiena, Ellwand; Ross, Andrea. "Phu Lam identified as Edmonton man who killed eight people, including two children", National Post, December 31, 2014.
- "Suspect in Edmonton murders threatened to kill relatives in 2012", The Globe and Mail, January 2, 2015.
Wikipedia URL: 2014 Edmonton Shooting
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Shooting Spree Begins
Phu Lam kills eight people, including two children, in a mass shooting in Edmonton.
Suicide at Restaurant
After the shooting, Phu Lam commits suicide at VN Express restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan.
Police Discover Body
Police find Phu Lam's body at the restaurant during a morning search.
Perpetrator Identified
Phu Lam is identified as the shooter responsible for the mass murder.
History of Violence Revealed
Reports emerge detailing Lam's extensive criminal history and threats made against relatives.
On December 29, 2014, Phu Lam, a 53-year-old male with a history of criminal offenses, perpetrated a shooting spree in Edmonton, Alberta, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including two children, most of whom were his relatives. The initial shootings occurred at a residence in north Edmonton, where Lam killed seven family members, and subsequently at a second home in the Haddow neighborhood, where he shot Cyndi Duong, 36. Following these attacks, Lam drove to VN Express, a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan, where he committed suicide by firearm. Police discovered his body at 7:34 a.m. on December 30, 2014. The incident is classified as a mass murder, familicide, and murder-suicide, with Lam utilizing a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
Phu Lam's shooting spree is believed to have been motivated by personal grievances against his family, with some speculating that longstanding disputes may have led to the tragic events. There are theories that Lam's mental health issues played a significant role in his actions, as well as speculation regarding the impact of financial stress related to his professional life. The fact that he had access to the restaurant after hours has led to discussions about whether this was premeditated or a spur-of-the-moment decision influenced by his emotional state.
The Tragedy of the 2014 Edmonton Shooting
A Chilling December Day
On December 29, 2014, the residents of Edmonton, Alberta, were shaken by a harrowing spree of violence that left nine people dead, including the perpetrator. The man behind this tragedy was Phu Lam, a 53-year-old with a tortured past and a troubled present. What began as a seemingly ordinary day in Edmonton quickly turned into a nightmare, as Lam embarked on a calculated killing spree that would devastate families and communities alike.
The Sequence of Violence
Lam's rampage commenced in a quiet house located in the Klarvatten area of north Edmonton. Inside, he turned his weapon, a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, on seven of his relatives. Among the victims were his wife, Thuy-tien Truong, affectionately known as Tien Truong, and her eight-year-old son, Elvis Lam. His wife’s parents, Van-dang Truong and Thi-dau Le, both 55, also fell victim to his violence, along with her sister Thanh-ha-thi Truong, known as Ha Truong, and Ha's three-year-old daughter, Valentina Nguyen. The tragic list included Viet Nguyen, a 41-year-old male friend of Tien Truong.
After this horrific act, Lam made his way to another residence in the Haddow neighborhood of Edmonton. Here, he took the life of 36-year-old Cyndi Duong, marking the eighth victim of his deadly spree.
The Final Act
Lam's final destination was a Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan, northeast of Edmonton. Known as VN Express, this was a place where Lam had access after hours, ostensibly to perform kitchen repairs. It was here, in the eerie quiet of the early morning on December 30, that Lam turned the gun on himself, ending his life. When police entered the restaurant at 7:34 a.m., they discovered Lam's body, bringing an end to the killing spree.
Phu Lam: A Troubled Past
Phu Lam's life was marked by a series of unfortunate events and poor choices. Born and raised in Vietnam, he moved to Canada in 1979. Lam's criminal record, stretching back to 1987, was a testament to his troubled nature, featuring offenses related to drugs and violence. In 2000, during a visit to his homeland, he met his future wife, who was 18 years his junior. They married six months later, and she joined him in Canada in 2003.
By 2014, Lam was embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings, burdened by substantial debts across a dozen credit cards, driven by a debilitating gambling addiction. His history of violence was further evidenced by arrests in Edmonton for sexual and domestic assault. The handgun he used in his final act of violence was registered in 1997 but had been reported stolen from Surrey, British Columbia, in 2006.
Lam's volatility was no secret. As early as November 2012, he had been reported for threatening to kill his ex-wife, Thuy Tien Truong, and five other relatives. Yet, despite these alarming warning signs, the tragic events of December 29 were not prevented.
Aftermath and Reflection
In the wake of this senseless act of violence, the community of Edmonton was left grappling with grief and unanswered questions. The tragedy underscored the pressing issues of domestic violence and gun control, casting a spotlight on the gaps in systems meant to protect the vulnerable.
Connections to Other Tragedies
This horrific event drew inevitable comparisons to other acts of violence in Canadian history, such as the 2014 Calgary stabbing and the Claresholm highway massacre, each leaving indelible marks on the national consciousness.
Sources
- "Shooter in Edmonton mass murder had history of domestic violence", CTVNews, December 31, 2014.
- "Edmonton Shootings 'Planned And Deliberate,' Says Police Chief", The Huffington Post.
- Klinkenberg, Marty; Wittmeier, Brent; Klingbeil, Cailynn; Otiena, Ellwand; Ross, Andrea. "Phu Lam identified as Edmonton man who killed eight people, including two children", National Post, December 31, 2014.
- "Suspect in Edmonton murders threatened to kill relatives in 2012", The Globe and Mail, January 2, 2015.
Wikipedia URL: 2014 Edmonton Shooting
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Shooting Spree Begins
Phu Lam kills eight people, including two children, in a mass shooting in Edmonton.
Suicide at Restaurant
After the shooting, Phu Lam commits suicide at VN Express restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan.
Police Discover Body
Police find Phu Lam's body at the restaurant during a morning search.
Perpetrator Identified
Phu Lam is identified as the shooter responsible for the mass murder.
History of Violence Revealed
Reports emerge detailing Lam's extensive criminal history and threats made against relatives.