Edmonton homicide detectives investigating Wednesday morning shooting death at Papyrus Lounge, scene of an unsolved 2011 killing
EDMONTON – City homicide cops are probing the shooting death of a 31-year-old man at Papyrus Lounge — the scene of a still-unsolved 2011 New Year’s Day slaying — after gunfire broke out early Wednesday.
Detectives remained at the 11124 107 Ave. scene most of the day after cops were called about 12:30 a.m. to a weapons complaint. The body of the victim, found on the floor of the club and suffering at least one fatal gunshot wound, was removed by a medical examiner team later Wednesday morning. An autopsy is set for Thursday.
The Sun has learned the victim is Bekri Mohamed. Though sources say his killing does not appear to be drug related, court records show he was handed a 10-month jail sentence in Calgary on March 21, 2013, for trafficking cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine.
Investigators continue to interview up to 15 witnesses who were inside the lounge at the time of the shooting. Police have a good idea of who the killer is. Witnesses say he is black, in his mid-20s and about six foot three with scars on his neck.
The lounge was the scene of the 2011 New Year’s Day slaying of Mohamud Jama, 23. Despite the lounge being full of about 100 patrons, no witnesses came forward, causing veteran homicide Det. Bill Clark to express his frustration with the lack of cooperation from the Somali community. Police later extended an olive branch to local Somali groups, launching a poster campaign to try to solve a rash of killings of young men from the community.
Clark had noted that key witnesses at the lounge the night Jama was slain, including a 26-year-old man who was also shot but survived, refused to help police. Jama was shot in front of dozens of people celebrating the New Year.
Police then unveiled a poster highlighting the 12 slayings of Somali-Canadians in Edmonton since 2006 — its message read ‘SOMEBODY OUT THERE KNOWS.’ The project was developed by police, Crime Stoppers and Somali-Canadian organizations.
Jama’s killing remains unsolved.
His slaying was the first of 2011, a year that Edmonton log a record-breaking 48 homicides.
Witnesses in the current case are being very cooperative.
Anyone with information about either Papyrus killing is asked to contact the police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.
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Homicides along 107 Avenue over the years include:
* Oct. 2014 – Michael McNeill, 22, killed in a fight inside an apartment near 107 Avenue and 116 Street.
* Dec. 2013 — Travis Untinen, 36, stabbed to death outside a convenience store near 107 Avenue and 104 Street.
* Nov. 2012 — Temesgen Asfha, 43, found slain face-down in snow along 107 Avenue near 103 Street.
* Jan. 2011 — Mohamed Jama shot dead inside Papyrus at 111 Street and 107 Avenue.
* June 2011 — 22-year-old Bruce Dumais stabbed in front of an apartment building at 106 Street and 107 Avenue.
* May 2009 — 36-year-old Shawn Michael Price was shot during a dispute with police at 102 Street and 107 Avenue.
* Feb. 2009 — 24-year-old Landis Tyson Stick was stabbed in front of an apartment building at 104 Street and 107 Avenue. * Aug. 2009 — Andrew Livingstone O’Brien was shot dead near 109 Street and 107 Avenue.
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