What we know about the 2 men accused of shooting Good Samaritan in fatal Alberta carjacking | CBC News (2024)

Meghan Grant · CBC News

· Posted: Aug 13, 2024 4:38 PM EDT | Last Updated: August 14

One of the men accused of murdering Rocky View County worker Colin Hough last week was on bail while the other had just finished a prison sentence for crimes that closely align with the allegations faced in the fatal carjacking, CBC News has learned.

Court records reveal new details about the two suspects' involvement with police, the courts and prison.

Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with last Tuesday's fatal carjacking, while Elijah Blake Strawberry, 28, is wanted on warrants for second-degree murder.

Both men are from Edmonton.

RCMP say Strawberry is considered "armed and extremely dangerous" and should not be approached.

Good Samaritan

Around noon on Tuesday, Aug. 6,two men were looking for a vehicle to steal because the truck they'd stolen a day earlier in Calgary broke down after a collision, police say.

The suspects came across a FortisAlberta worker at a rural intersectioneast of Calgary and set their broken, stolen truck on fire with a plan to steal the Fortis vehicle, police allege.

Hough, 45, spotted the fire and believed the two men needed help. RCMP say Hough pulled over in his Rocky View County work truck to lend a hand.

• RCMP identify 2 men accused in fatal shooting of Good Samaritan east of Calgary

Hough and a 39-year-old FortisAlberta employee, who was working in the area, were both shot. Hough died of his injuries. He leaves behind a wife and two young sons.

The suspects stole the county's work truck, dumping it later about 40 kilometresnortheast of the shooting scene in neighbouring Wheatland County.

Upon discovering the shooting scene and abandoned trucks, police issued a shelter-in-place alert for Wheatland County. They liftedthe order three hours later and expandedthe search into what hasbecome a week-long, provincewide manhunt.

On Sunday, three days after police identified and began surveilling one of the suspects, Penner was arrested in the Edmonton area.

He is now charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.

On Monday, the same day RCMP announced the charges against Penner, the service also identified Strawberry — who remains at large, wanted on warrants — as the second shooting suspect.

CBC News accessed court records that offer new information about the two men accused of murdering a Good Samaritan in the course of a carjacking.

Penner on bail

At the time of the shooting, Penner was on bail and was prohibited from possessing weapons, specifically firearms.

Penner is set to go on trial in Edmonton next month on charges of break and enter, four firearms offences and theft.

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In December, Penner was convicted of break and enter and received a conditional sentence order, meaning he was allowed to serve his sentence at home, under conditions.

Strawberry, who is now wanted on warrants for second-degree murder, also has a history with police.

Strawberry released from prison

Most recently, Strawberry was facing 27 charges, including a number that closely reflect the allegations he is currently facing in connection with the homicide.

Strawberry pleaded guilty to four offences: possession of stolen property, possession of a restricted firearm, flight from a police officer and operating a motor vehicle while prohibited.

WATCH | Police are still looking for the 2nd suspect:

He was handed a three-year prison sentence in August 2021. With credit for time he's already spent in custody, Strawberry had about two years, five months left to serve.

Strawberry is prohibited from possessing firearms or driving.

At a news conference Monday night, RCMP urged Strawberry to turn himself in.

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