Calgary Police Officer Faces Murder Hearing in Fatal Shooting During Pursuit

A preliminary hearing has begun for Calgary police Const. Craig Stothard, who faces two counts of second-degree murder. Stothard, a 13-year member of the Calgary Police Service, is accused of fatally shooting Levon Fox, 39, and Wesley Davidson, 46, during a slow-speed pursuit in May 2024.

The incident unfolded after police received a call about suspicious individuals in a stolen five-tonne cube van driving erratically in northeast Calgary. Officers began following the van at a slow speed along Memorial Drive. According to police, the van continued towards officers after attempts to stop it failed, leading the officer to discharge their service firearm.

Lina Wildman, mother of Levon Fox, expressed her grief and hope for answers in court. "My son and the other person, they didn’t have to die," she stated, questioning the threat assessment and other potential actions. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) led the investigation, reviewing body-worn cameras, helicopter footage, and public videos before recommending charges.

Doug King, a Justice Studies professor at Mount Royal University, suggested the case might depend on the testimony of other officers regarding their preparedness to use firearms. The preliminary hearing is expected to last up to 10 days, with testimony currently under a publication ban.

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My son and the other person, they didn’t have to die.