An Edmonton man who pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon missed his sentencing Monday.

And that’s because Mohamud Mohamed Jama died after being shot in Edmonton’s first homicide of the year.

Jama, 23, had been celebrating the new year with friends at the Papyrus Restaurant and Lounge near 112 Street and 107 Avenue when he was gunned down about 3 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Jama was found dead from a single gunshot wound on the floor of the lobby and a 26-year-old man who was also shot was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said Jama, a married Somali man expecting his first child, and the other victim were both known to them.

Jama was slated to be in provincial court for sentencing Monday after pleading guilty to assault with a weapon on Oct. 29.

He had been charged with aggravated assault in connection with the Oct. 24, 2007, incident, but was allowed to plead to the lesser charge.

The victim in that case has been identified as Mustafe Shirwac.

A Crown prosecutor told court that Jama was believed to be dead, however officials were going to obtain a death certificate and the matter was adjourned to Jan. 17.

Meanwhile, police are still hoping someone will come forward with solid information on the deadly shooting.

The second man shot has refused to co-operate with investigators and, despite there being about 100 people inside the bar at the time, nobody has identified the gunman.

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Edmonton Sun

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