Apartment where security guard was killed can reopen to tenants: city

Security guard Harshandeep Singh was killed at an apartment building on 107 Avenue and 106 Street on Dec. 6, 2024. (Matt Marshall/CTV News Edmonton)

An apartment building that was closed to tenants as a result of safety issues could soon be home to new residents.

The building at 107 Avenue and 106 Street was evacuated on Dec. 23, 2024, forcing tenants to find new homes just before Christmas.

The city said at the time that safety conditions had deteriorated in the weeks leading up to the closure.

On Dec. 6, 2024, security guard Harshandeep Singh was killed at the building after only three days on the job.

Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux have been charged with first-degree murder in his death.

Additionally, Alberta Health Services (AHS) inspectors had previously noted cockroach infestations on multiple occasions.

Reports also note missing smoke alarms in some units, lack of heat, leaking sinks, bathtubs and toilets and mold in several units.

“The landing at the bottom of the stairs adjacent to the mechanical room was soiled with human feces, used needles, drug paraphernalia, garbage, and urine,” the report said. “The floor along the front entranceway had a large red stain present. The common area stairwells were littered with needles, drug paraphernalia, and garbage.”

Now, the city says conditions have improved at the building enough for tenant re-occupation.

“The property owner has complied with all conditions required by the City of Edmonton to have the business license reinstated,” Jyllian Park of the city wrote in an email to CTV News Edmonton on Friday.

“While the property owner is now free to re-open the building for tenant occupation, the City’s Residential Inspection Safety Compliance Team (RISC) has not been made aware of a set date for re-opening.”

Park says RISC is monitoring the building for evidence of re-occupation.

“Upon confirmation of re-occupation, RISC will conduct inspections to ensure the property is in compliance with all relevant bylaws and legislation, as well as all conditions imposed on the business license by the City in 2024 and 2025 related to safety, security, fire equipment and minimum housing standards.”

At the time of Singh’s death, the building was listed for sale for nearly $7.5 million.

Park says the building remains under the same ownership.

AHS reports listed the building’s owner as Van Vuong.

According to court documents, a person with the same name was convicted of changing locks on a door in 2017 and fraud over $1,000 in 2011.

Other charges, including forcible entry, unlawfully entering a premises and shoplifting under $5,000 dating back to 2017, were withdrawn.

Park says all tenants who were living in the building at the time of its closure were given the opportunity to retrieve their belongings.