Gangster's prison sentence expired 5 days before he's accused of killing Calgary mother
CBC
The Calgary gangster wanted on Canada-wide warrants in connection with the death of a mother of five finished his sentence for firearm and drug crimes a few days before he's accused of a high speed chase involving gunfire, according to documents from the Parole Board of Canada (PBC).
Talal Amer, 29, faces charges of attempted murder, manslaughter, reckless discharge of a firearm, and several other gun-related offences stemming from a car chase and shooting incident last Tuesday, which ended in a crash involving two unrelated vehicles.
Angela McKenzie was killed in the crash. Her death left five children – who lost their father three months ago – orphaned. The man being chased managed to run away after the crash but was found nearby suffering from gunshot wounds.
The shooting and fatal crash happened on Tuesday May 10.
Just five days earlier, on May 5, 2022, Amer's previous sentence had expired, meaning he wasn't under any conditions and he was no longer under the authority of the PBC. Documents show however, that he was subject to a lifetime weapons prohibition.
The parole board documents tell the story of a violent drug dealer motivated by "greed" who continued to offend while in prison, while on release and allegedly, within days of his sentence expiration.
Amer is well known to Calgary police and played a role, alongside his brother and two cousins, in Calgary's 2015/2016 gang war marked by family ties and gun violence.
Around that time, Amer was identified by police as a drug dealer with ties to organized crime, according to the PBC documents.
"Despite official information, you denied being part of any organized criminal organization," wrote board member J. Hill.
"Ultimately, it was the ability to make a significant amount of money, prestige, and entitlement along with involvement with negative associates are all contributing factors in your offending."
In 2019, Amer was facing six charges of attempted murder in connection with the violence.
He ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser offences and began a three-year prison stint that same year.
While in prison, Amer faced "serious charges" related to weapons, drugs, fecal bombing and threats, according to the documents.
He was involved in an assault on a fellow inmate which caused severe injuries and required hospitalization.