Calgary Officer Charged with Double Murder in Memorial Drive Shooting
This week, Calgary is grappling with a story that’s both rare and deeply unsettling: a veteran police officer has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder. It’s a case that’s drawing national attention—and shaking public confidence in local law enforcement.
Constable Craig Stothard, who had served with the Calgary Police Service for 13 years, is now at the center of a major legal storm. The charges stem from an incident that occurred more than two years ago, on May 29, 2023, during a police pursuit in northeast Calgary. It began on Manning Close NE when police responded to a report of a white cube van driving erratically—posing a threat to public safety. The situation escalated dramatically on Memorial Drive near Edmonton Trail, where officers attempted to stop the van.
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Eyewitness video captured the slow-moving van being pursued by multiple police vehicles. Then, in what ASIRT (Alberta Serious Incident Response Team) described as a moment of “rapidly changing dynamics,” gunfire erupted. When the shooting stopped, two men inside the van—Wesley Davidson, 46, and Levon Boyce Fox, 39—were fatally wounded. A third occupant was unharmed and taken into custody.
ASIRT’s investigation concluded that there were reasonable grounds to charge Stothard. The evidence was reviewed not only by ASIRT but also by the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, which agreed the threshold for prosecution had been met. That led to Stothard being formally charged and appearing in court earlier this week. He has since been released on conditions and is currently on leave from the force.
Criminal justice professor Doug King from Mount Royal University noted how rare it is in Canadian law to see a police officer charged with such serious criminal offenses while performing duties on the job. What makes this case even more significant is that ASIRT, largely composed of former law enforcement professionals, made the call to lay charges—suggesting a high threshold of concern over how Stothard acted that day.
Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan released a video statement acknowledging how serious the charges are and how they may impact the public’s trust in law enforcement. She reaffirmed the department’s commitment to equitable and culturally respectful policing, especially within Indigenous communities. However, given that the matter is before the courts, she has said she won’t provide further comment.
It’s a moment of reckoning for Calgary. The justice system will now determine the outcome, but for many residents, the incident raises tough questions about accountability, use of force, and the responsibilities carried by those who wear the badge. In a city known for its collaborative community policing efforts, this case has pierced the public’s sense of safety and trust—and people are watching closely to see what happens next.
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