EDMONTON, AB — A respected educator and writer was found dead following a fatal shooting in downtown Edmonton early Saturday morning.
Priscilla McGreer, 39, a local author and college instructor, was discovered inside a vehicle near 119th Street and Jasper Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers responded just before 4:30 a.m. after reports of gunfire in the area.
Edmonton police have charged Kyle Laumen, 42, with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and breach of probation in connection with McGreer’s death. Authorities say the two were known to each other, though they clarified the case is not being investigated as femicide or domestic violence.
An autopsy confirmed that McGreer died from gunshot wounds and ruled the manner of death a homicide.
McGreer had worked for three years as an instructor at the Learning Centre Literacy Association, where she taught adult students to read and write. Executive Director Denis Lapierre described her as a deeply empathetic educator and lifelong learner, who was pursuing a PhD in technology and learning in adult education.
“She raised the level of intellectual curiosity among our students,” said Lapierre. “She will be deeply missed.”
A vigil and memorial meal are being planned by staff at the Learning Centre to honor her legacy.
McGreer also taught part-time at NorQuest College, where she was scheduled to teach English in the fall term. In a statement, NorQuest described her as “a well-respected and well-liked instructor and colleague.”
Laumen has a lengthy criminal history, including previous convictions for assault, weapons offenses, and flight from police. He was charged with second-degree murder in 2018 for the death of Marlon Jair Nunez, though those charges were later stayed in 2020 due to evidentiary issues, according to Alberta Crown prosecutors.
In addition to the murder charge, court records show Laumen is also accused of carrying a prohibited weapon, violating firearm restrictions, and committing aggravated assault against another person present during McGreer’s killing.
Her death is part of a series of suspicious fatalities over the long weekend currently under investigation by Edmonton police:
At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, police responded to the death of an 82-year-old man found in distress in a backyard near 104th Street and 85th Avenue.
On Sunday morning, a man’s body was found in Edmonton’s river valley; his death is also considered suspicious.
Later Sunday, a house fire in the Montrose neighborhood revealed a deceased individual inside. Police are seeking a witness who captured video of the fire, which has circulated on social media.
The homicide unit continues to investigate these incidents.
