The Calgary Police Service identified the victim of the Dec. 15 shooting in the southeast community of Douglasdale as 40-year-old Ashley Aaron Cuthbert Mawdsley.
The shooting, which occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, was described by police as an act of violence that put the entire community at risk.
“What we do know is that this targeted shooting occurred in the residential community, placing not only the victim’s family in danger, but all people who lived in this community of Douglasdale,” said Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta of the Calgary Police Service’s Homicide Unit.
“We had an elementary school that is located nearby, and the suspect showed complete disregard for the citizens of our city, and is also evident outside of the city where the vehicle was placed on fire and could have easily lit surrounding properties.”
Police said that a white 2022 Ford Expedition used in the shooting was torched near Okotoks following the shooting. It was confirmed by police that the vehicle was reported stolen.
Staff Sgt. Schiavetta said that police are now looking for dashcam footage from Calgarians in relation to the shooting, and the suspects.
Among the footage sought is video from Douglasdale Boulevard SE and eastbound 130 Avenue going towards Deerfoot Trail between 8:30 am and 8:40 am, southbound Deerfoot Trail towards Highway 522 between 8:30 am and 8:45 am, southbound on Range Road 291 in Foothills County between 8:45 am and 9:00 am, and eastbound on 296 Avenue E to the 6400 block of 296 Avenue E between 8:45 am and 9:00 am.
‘Layers of criminal sophistication’: Shiavetta
Schiavetta said the attack was a sophisticated one, with all of the hallmarks of organized crime.
“You certainly have seen layers of criminal sophistication, and obviously everyone’s aware that the crime vehicle was almost immediately burnt outside the city,” he said.
Calgary Police would not indicate if the victim, Mawdsley, was previously known to police citing privacy concerns.
Ashley Aaron Cuthbert Mawdsley, then aged 31, was arrested in 2013 while on parole during a major operation by the Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit in 2013, resulting in the arrest of eight Calgarians and seizing over $1 million in drugs. Mawdsley was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.
Calgary Police previously arrested Mawdsley, aged 24 in 2006, during an operation that utilized the police’s tactical unit, that netted nearly $200,000 in drugs seized and four handguns. Mawdsley was charged at that time with three criminal charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
The homicide is Calgary’s 25th of 2022.
