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Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht expressed outrage Friday at what he called two gratuitous, barbaric and evil acts of violence in which two Mac’s convenience store clerks were “executed” early Friday in connected overnight armed robberies.

“It is very rare that we see this kind of senseless and random violence in our city,” Knecht said.

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“Still, two innocent people lost their lives today, and there are family members here and overseas that will have their holiday season devastated by this news. We should be outraged as a community.

“These were extreme acts of violence. I’ve talked to the investigators before I came in here and they say it was over-the-top violence. Absolutely unnecessary, gratuitous, evil.”

Three male suspects are in custody, ages 26, 24 and 13. All have records and all are prohibited from possessing firearms, Knecht said.

Police have identified one of the dead men as Karanpal Singh Bhangu, 35. Police are not releasing the name of the second victim, aged 41, until family have been notified.