Woman killed by bullet that travelled through closed door: court documents

Keyannah Redbear has been sentenced to six years in prison for fatally shooting Winter Dion. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson reports from court.

The woman who killed Winter Star Dion, 23, in a west Edmonton apartment more than two years ago has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Dion was shot and killed in an apartment at 156 Street and 100 Avenue on Oct. 11, 2023.

Keyannah Rose Redbear, 26, was charged with second-degree murder in her death.

According to the agreed statement of facts, Redbear had been involved in an altercation in the apartment suite the day before with one of Dion’s sisters, who she had previously had a romantic relationship with.

She left after breaking several exterior windows in the basement suite.

Shortly before the shooting, Redbear returned to the apartment and was yelling through a broken window for the sister, who was not present in the suite.

A security camera at the apartment building had captured Redbear walking past the building’s door carrying a gun at 4:53 a.m.

Edmonton Police Service officers were called about the shooting at 4:54 a.m. and arrived at the apartment at 5:01 a.m.

Dion was found in critical condition in the hallway outside the suite. She died on scene at 5:20 a.m.

Police spoke to three witnesses who were inside the suite with Dion when Redbear arrived.

Two of the witnesses said they knew Redbear and recognized her when she arrived outside the building.

The third witness told police he yelled, “She’s got a gun.”

All four occupants of the suite ran into the hallway outside the suite, closing the door behind them.

According to the court documents, Redbear shot through the broken living room window. The bullet travelled through the closed apartment door, fatally striking Dion.

Redbear was arrested at 6:55 p.m. on Oct. 11 and charged with murder.

A search of her cell phone showed that Redbear had looked up various combinations of the words “manslaughter” and “murder” more than 24 times between 6:08 p.m. and 6:16 p.m. on Oct. 11.

An autopsy found that Dion had died of injuries consistent with those sustained from high-velocity rifle ammunition.

She left behind a seven-year-old daughter.

The Crown asked for a sentence of seven years, while the defence wanted 5.5 years.

On Friday, a judge sentenced Redbear to 6.6 years in prison, calling the shooting a serious matter.

She was given the opportunity to address the court, but declined.

Redbear’s mother got up and began yelling as court concluded.

“It wasn’t Keyanna,” she yelled.

“It was not my daughter that shot that woman.”

She was ultimately escorted from the courtroom by sheriffs.

With credit for time served, Redbear will spend another 21 months in prison.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson