EDMONTON – The man accused in a deadly stabbing spree in west Edmonton Friday made his first court appearance Monday morning.
Jayme Pasieka, 29, appeared in an Edmonton courtroom via Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). He was handcuffed and wore an orange jumpsuit. He appeared calm throughout the appearance.
The case was put over until May 5 as lawyers need time to go over the events that led to Pasieka being charged.
“The Edmonton Police Service is still gathering up all the information, we’re still going to be putting together our case and our disclosure package, so there wasn’t any point for putting it over for any shorter time,” explained
Kimberly Goddard, one of the two Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutors on the case.
“In the interim, we’re also going to discuss with the Edmonton Police Service whether there’s going to be additional charges.”
Pasieka has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon and one count of aggravated assault.
“Given the large number of civilian witnesses and the large amount of evidence we have, it could be a very complicated case in terms of length of time and making sure that we put it all together properly,” added Goddard.
“But, we’re prepared to put as many resources as much time as required to make sure that this case goes off without a hitch.”
Pasieka is being held separate from the general population at the Edmonton Remand Centre.
The charges come after two people were killed Friday afternoon, and four others injured, after Pasieka allegedly walked into the building armed with two knives and stabbed at least six people.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of things that have happened, there’s a lot of people that want some answers, there’s a lot of information that’s come from the police interviews – people that are apparent witnesses – so this is going to take some time,” said Pasieka’s lawyer, Brandon Tralenberg.
The victims have been identified by police as 50-year-old Fitzroy Harris and 41-year-old Thierno Bah.
“As can be expected, the families are devastated that their loved ones would go to work and then never come home,” Det. Bill Clark said.
Above: Ross Neitz reports on the police investigation into a stabbing spree that left two people dead Friday
Dozens of officers were called to the Loblaw warehouse at 161 Street and 121 A Avenue just after 2:00 p.m.
“When our members arrived there, it was complete chaos,” Clark said Saturday morning.
“There were people running around all over the place. There were numerous persons injured.”
READ MORE: Two killed, at least four injured at west Edmonton warehouse; suspect captured
When police arrived, Harris was found dead inside the warehouse. Bah was transported to an ambulance outside the building, where he was declared dead.
Four other men – aged 21, 29, 34 and 44 – were taken to hospital. Police say the 34-year-old man was in very serious condition, with multiple stabs wounds. His condition has since improved and while he is still in hospital, he is expected to recover.
The suspect fled the scene, and after an intense manhunt, the man was arrested in the area of 39 Street and 74 Avenue shortly after 5:00 p.m.
WATCH: Edmonton police capture suspect in deadly stabbings
“He is well-known to the people inside,” Clark said of Pasieka. “He was also known to the victims.”
Clark said Pasieka was arrested without incident and has since been cooperative with police.
“He has been very calm, very polite.”
Police say there’s still no indication of what motivated him.
“At this time we have no information to suggest he had any assistance or any help from anyone else,” Clark said. “We believe he acted alone. But again, we’ll flesh that out in the coming days.”
Watch below: Staff Sgt. Bill Clark with the Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section addresses the media Saturday morning
Saturday morning Loblaw senior management was at the west-end warehouse.
On Monday, the company’s VP of Corporate Affairs and Communication, Kevin Groh, released this statement:
“We are in the process of re-opening our Edmonton distribution centre on a modified basis. We had initially anticipated a longer closure, but were advised to open by professional grief counselors, based on their belief in the value of work and workplace interactions following traumatic events of this sort. Colleagues were welcomed back Sunday to gather and for counseling. They were given the option to work, though most chose only to assemble and talk. Counseling continues both at and away from our facility.”
Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht will provide an update on the case at 4:45 on Monday afternoon.
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