The mother of an Ontario woman who was reportedly shot and killed by a man in a Brampton parking lot told that she can hardly believe it.
Authorities say the man, also involved in an Amber Alert on Tuesday, was shot dead by police early Wednesday morning.
Karen Kulla shared that her daughter, 29-year-old Savannah Kulla, had met with 38-year-old Anthony Deschepper after agreeing to let him spend time with their 17-month-old baby girl. Karen mentioned that her daughter was a mother of four.
During their meeting, Karen stated that Savannah lost her life to gunfire.
“I just can’t believe that she’s gone,” Karen expressed. “She’s so beautiful. She always stood her ground and was smart and pretty. We loved her dearly.”
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On Tuesday around 2 p. m., Peel Regional Police were called to reports of a woman shot at a shopping plaza near Airport Road and Queen Street East in Brampton. Sadly, the woman was declared dead at the scene.
Karen noted that Savannah and Deschepper had previously been in a relationship but had broken up several months ago.
“About a month ago, she told me, ‘if I stay with him he’s gonna end up killing me,’” Karen recalled.
Karen advised her daughter to seek a restraining order. “She responded, ‘it’s not going to do anything, mom. He just won’t leave me alone.’”
She recounted the moment when police arrived at her door on Tuesday with the heartbreaking news about her daughter’s death.
“The officer said, ‘she’s deceased.’ I can’t even remember what I did next; I probably screamed. She’s my youngest child of three. I love her so much. Life without her is unimaginable.”
Karen claims authorities told her the shooting stemmed from an argument over a diaper bag.
“From what I’ve heard he said to her, ‘I need the diaper bag.’ She replied ‘I’m going to get it.’ Then he shouted ‘you forgot the damn diaper bag’ before I heard three shots fired,” Karen alleged.
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A couple hours later, an Amber Alert went out across Ontario just before 5 p. m. Tuesday for a one-year-old girl with Deschepper identified as the suspect.
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Police informed reporters that they spotted the girl in Deschepper’s vehicle but later confirmed she was safely dropped off with family members. The Amber Alert concluded with assurances of her safety.
The authorities also indicated this incident appeared linked to intimate partner violence but declined further comments on it.
An additional alert was issued by Niagara regional police at 6:52 p. m. Tuesday for residents in Crystal Beach advising them to shelter in place due to fears Deschepper might be nearby; however, this alert was lifted shortly thereafter when evidence suggested he had left that area.
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Dawn broke on Wednesday when Niagara police reported finding Deschepper inside his vehicle at a gas station near Thorold Stone and Montrose roads in Niagara Falls. Following “an interaction with officers,” he was shot dead by police while no officers were harmed during this encounter.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit has since invoked its mandate and is now looking into this fatal shooting involving Niagara police personnel. The SIU operates independently when investigating incidents where someone dies following contact with law enforcement officers.
Pictures from the scene indicate that Deschepper may have been driving a different make and model vehicle than initially reported during the Amber Alert situation. SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette remarked she couldn’t confirm if there had been any vehicle changes involved in this case; however, there was also another woman present inside his vehicle during the shooting involving Niagara police which is believed occurred on the driver side of his car.
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“There was a female that was in the vehicle we are trying to speak with,” Denette mentioned adding they haven’t managed any conversations yet; thankfully she wasn’t injured nor were any children present inside.”
SIU investigators continue collecting evidence along with witness interviews and surveillance footage “to piece together what happened,” she added noting both Peel Regional Police and Niagara Police are conducting simultaneous investigations into these multi-jurisdictional events.
4:59 Amber Alert suspect also sought in fatal Brampton shooting, killed by police
has discovered that Deschepper faced outstanding firearm-related charges from earlier this year after being accused of firing shots at someone else’s home located within Brampton.
<A warrant for his arrest had been issued earlier followed quickly by his apprehension weeks later courtesy Waterloo regional police forces.
Those charges remained active while awaiting trial set for 2026 as he sat free on bail awaiting proceedings.
Karen revealed asking Savannah whether or not Deschepper possessed any firearms:
“I asked,’you promise me he doesn’t have gun?’ She assured me saying,’No Mom! I swear he doesn’t carry one anymore.’ Turns out those words weren’t true.”
‘He’d constantly bugged Savannah through calls – he’d changed numbers yet still harassed non-stop – I’d estimate easily around fifty plus times daily he’d contact wanting something or another,’ causing immense distress!’ Sometimes she’d reluctantly respond asking him simply’leave me alone.'”
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