A Calgary police officer will stand trial after a judge determined there is enough evidence to proceed, following the deaths of two individuals during a police pursuit in May 2023.
Const. Craig Stothard, 52, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the incident. A judge made the decision Tuesday at the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry—a hearing designed to assess whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant a trial.
The charges relate to events on May 29, 2023, when Calgary police responded to a report of suspicious persons on private property. When officers arrived, the individuals fled the scene in a stolen cube van, triggering a pursuit.
Dashcam footage released at the time showed multiple police vehicles following the van at extremely low speeds through Calgary streets. Police officials stated that "rapidly changing dynamics" during the chase prompted one officer to discharge their firearm, resulting in the deaths of the van's occupants.
The two victims were identified as Wesley Davidson and Levon Boyce Fox.
Stothard has been on leave from the Calgary Police Service since the incident. The case has drawn significant attention as it involves questions about police use of force during an extended, low-speed pursuit—a scenario that typically differs from high-risk encounters that justify lethal response.
The trial marks a significant moment in police accountability within Alberta, as cases involving officers charged with serious offences remain relatively uncommon and closely watched by both the public and law enforcement oversight bodies.
This report is based on information provided by Global Calgary. For further details, visit Global Calgary's coverage of this developing story.