Winnipeg police are investigating a homicide in the downtown bar district early Sunday morning.
Officers identified the victim as Rustom Vito Paclipan, 23, of Winnipeg.
Police say a group of males got into a confrontation in front of Opera Ultralounge near the corner of Bannatyne Avenue and Main Street around 2:00 a.m. Sunday.
A suspect pulled out a gun and fired at the group, said police.
Paramedics took Paclipan to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Officers announced Monday they've learned two other victims, an 18-year-old man and a 24-year-man, received non-life-threatening injuries.
All three people injured were among the group of people in the altercation, said officers.
“I certainly don’t want to say that everyone in these two groups was part of a gang, associates or that…we’re not going to get into that specific detail, but we do believe it was gang-related,” said Det. Sgt. Natalie Aitken.
Brian Timmerman, of the Exchange District BIZ, called the shooting an isolated incident and said the area is generally quite safe.
He said the violence should not discourage people from visiting the Exchange District.
There are several surveillance cameras trained on the area in front of the club and police said they will be using security footage in their investigation.
“That is something we’re absolutely in the process of obtaining and reviewing and if there’s any information that is going to assist our investigation we’re very hopeful and optimistic,” said Const. Jason Michalyshen.
Anyone with information in the case is asked call investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.
- with a report from Ben Miljure
