UPDATE: Man charged for carrying rifle on LRT

EDMONTON- The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged 40-year-old Jodie Yadlowski with several weapons related offences after a weapons complaint on the LRT Thursday afternoon.

Yadlowski has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, careless use of a firearm, failure to comply with a probation order, and outstanding warrants.

Police responded to a weapons complaint at Churchill LRT station around 4:30 Thursday afternoon after a man was spotted getting on an LRT train in the McKernan-Belgravia area with a weapon. A passenger reported seeing a man carrying a rifle in plain view while on the northbound train. Officers say the train left the station and was stopped at Churchill Station.

While officers were evacuating and searching the train, another person called 911 after seeing a man matching the suspect’s description carrying a rifle near the station. 

The suspect was located in the area of 95 Street and 103 Avenue and arrested without incident.

“He’s facing weapons charges with respect to the transporting of the rifle. It was a .22 calibre rifle with a scope on it,” explained Inspector Chad Tawfik with EPS.

Police say the gun was not loaded and had the bolt removed, but Tawfik says police are taking the incident very seriously.

“It was in plain view, it wasn’t in a bag or in anything that was concealing it,” he said. “Anytime someone is transporting a weapon that way you have to take the necessary steps under the legislation to do so safely and without concerning anyone.”

The area was cordoned off by police and trains were halted for about 30 minutes Thursday afternoon, as police investigated.

“Given the nature, that there was a firearm involved in this, we wanted to ensure the safety of everyone and do it very tactfully,” Tawfik explained.