The Calgary man who killed himself after a three-hour standoff Thursday that began when he shot at police was facing trials on a number of organized crime-related offences and had recently cut off his ankle monitor, CBC News has learned.
Elvis Vukaj, 31, was wanted on Canada-wide warrants after he removed his electronic tracker last week.
Vukaj was on bail, awaiting trial on charges that relate to accusations he shot a homeowner and a dog in a break-and-enter/robbery. He was also awaiting trial on charges related to a $200,000 extortion case.
Although the Calgary Police Service (CPS) has not named Vukaj, a number of sources connected to the investigation identified him to CBC News as the deceased.
The sources are not being named because they are not authorized to comment on the situation.
Edmonton lawyer Rahul Nanda, who represented Vukaj, declined to comment.
Woman surrendered
The situation began in the northwest community of Rosedale around 4 p.m. Thursday, when police issued a shelter-in-place after shots were fired in the 500 block of Crescent Road.
According to police, a man shot at a home along Crescent Road before entering a nearby house. When the police tactical team arrived, the man shot at officers from inside the house, striking CPS’s armoured vehicle.
A woman who had been with Vukaj surrendered to police around 5 p.m.
Two hours later, Vukaj was confirmed dead inside the home.
Organized crime connections
Vukaj’s pending trials were being handled by organized crime prosecutors.
In 2022, Vukaj was charged alongside two others with extortion.
Shortly after that incident, Vukaj was arrested and charged with three firearms offences and seven charges for breaching court orders.
In that case, police arrested Vukaj after he left a local steak restaurant. CPS said Vukaj had ties to organized crime and was carrying a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest.
Vukaj was released on bail in August 2024.
Dog, homeowner shot
In January 2025, while on bail, Vukaj is accused of committing a home invasion robbery.
In that case, he is accused of shooting a dog and a homeowner.
Court records show that Vukaj’s bail was revoked at the time of his arrest in March 2025.
But in June, following a contested bail hearing, court documents show Vukaj was once again released by Justice Allan Fradsham.
Vukaj was to abide by a number of conditions, including a requirement that he wear an electronic ankle monitoring bracelet.
He was required to live with his father and abide by 24-hour house arrest with exceptions to leave the house for work.
Sources say Vukaj removed his ankle monitor last week. At that time, warrants were issued for his arrest.
The extortion trial was set to take place in November.
In 2020, Vukaj was convicted on charges relating to possession of cocaine and body armour.
