Edmonton’s Somali community remains on edge as the hunt continues for the gunmen responsible for the city’s 25th homicide — which police said was a case of mistaken identity.

“The community is anxious to hear more,” said Mohammed Accord, president of the Edmonton Somali Community Centre.

“We are trying to calm them (the community) down, but at the same time the people are vigilant. People are taking precautions so they don’t become a victim.”

On June 3, Abdi Ali Mohamud, 43, and a 25-year-old man were walking near 86 Street and 106A Avenue around 3 a.m. when they were confronted by three people.

Mohamud was shot dead while the other man suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police said the shooting was carefully planned.

Neither of the men were known to police or had a criminal record, leading homicide investigators to believe that it was a case of mistaken identity.

Police are still looking for three suspects in relation to the shooting, but aren’t providing descriptions.

As the hunt continues for the suspects, police issued a plea for the intended victim of the shooting to come forward, but they aren’t holding their breath.

EPS homicide Det. Dan Jones said the intended target might not even be aware his life is on the line.

“Often times when something like this happens, people know what’s going on in the criminal underworld. They may not know or they may know and don’t want to talk to us,” said Jones, who noted the injured man is being cooperative with police.

“It’s unfortunate they hit a target that was not intended, but this isn’t a random group of people doing random things. That person was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

A total of 13 Somali-Canadians have been slain in Edmonton since 2006.

Accord said the fact the shooting struck two people who didn’t live a high-risk lifestyle is unnerving to the community that’s trying to cope with its third loss this year.

“The target could be anybody, not specifically those who are living a high-risk lifestyle. These people have no human life concern and they don’t care,” said Accord, who is also urging the intended victim to speak with police to ensure the safety of the community.

“We are very confident in the police they will do whatever necessary to keep him safe, whoever it is.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

[email protected]

Comments

comments