Alleged shooter was ‘piece of work’
OFFICER KILLED: Edmonton man faced foreclosure, troubled business, police charges
EDMONTON — Norman Walter Raddatz feuded with his neighbours, once piling dog feces on his fence to provoke a reaction. His business was struggling, his house faced foreclosure and he was wanted for “extreme” criminal harassment.
“He was a piece of work. He didn’t care about his property or his yard,” said neighbour Ryan Colton. “He just didn’t care about the laws or bylaws. He did what he wanted.”
On Monday evening, Edmonton police officers went to Raddatz’s house to serve a warrant against him in a case of online hatred and bullying of an Edmonton family dating back to February 2014.
Raddatz, 42, responded by firing more than 50 bullets from inside the bungalow, killing Const. Daniel Woodall, a hate crimes officer originally from Manchester, England, and wounding Sgt. Jason Harley. After the shooting, flames engulfed the home, burning it to the ground. A body believed to be that of Raddatz was found in the basement.
“As your mayor I reflect the sadness I feel in the community,” Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said Tuesday as he choked back tears. “But I feel this most deeply as the father of young children and I’m incredibly sad for them and for Mrs. Woodall. They shouldn’t have to experience what they are experiencing.”
The divorced Raddatz was a refrigeration mechanic, Colton said.
Other documents fill out the portrait of the suspected killer, revealing a failed marriage, foreclosure proceedings and a troubled business. Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht said Raddatz had a criminal record, but a court record search found no charges or convictions.