Two convicted in roadside killing near Calgary

A jury has found two men guilty of second-degree murder in the random roadside shooting that killed Colin Hough, a Rocky View County employee, on Aug. 6, 2024.

Arthur Penner, 37, and Elijah Strawberry, 29, were convicted after deliberating for 14 hours. Both were also found guilty of two counts of armed robbery — for stealing Hough's vehicle and attempting to steal a truck from FortisAlberta surveyor Matthew Andres, who was shot through the arm at the same location.

Hough drove up to investigate after Andres' truck was set on fire during the initial robbery attempt. Video footage from a nearby semi-trailer captured Hough's final minutes; he was hit three times and left on the road. Andres, who was approached by two masked men, wasn't able to positively identify the two accused but said they ran toward Hough's vehicle and started firing.

Both men face a mandatory life sentence of 25 years. A jury was asked for parole-eligibility recommendations ranging from 10 to 25 years. Sentencing arguments are expected to begin in November at the earliest, pending forensic and Gladue reports requested by defence counsel.

Hough's wife embraced the prosecutor after the verdict was read. The case drew significant regional attention as an example of random violence on rural Alberta roads.