Winnipeg police are asking for the public's help in a homicide investigation.
Mohamed Ali Omar, 28, of Winnipeg was found shot in the parking lot of the Lincoln Motor Hotel in the 1000 block of McPhillips Street early Sunday morning. He died from injuries. A 17-year-old male was also hit by gunfire and remains in hospital in stable condition.
Police said Omar was with a group of associates and exited the hotel and went to a vehicle in the parking lot. As their vehicle prepared to leave, a large sport utility vehicle pulled up and a male suspect armed with a gun jumped out. The suspect fired a number of shots and Omar and the 17-year-old male were hit, said police.
Omar's family said he was not involved in gangs.
But police said both victims are associated with gangs and the shooting could be the result of tension between rival gangs.
"Given the fact that both of our victims in this case do have associations to a local street gang- that's always a possibility. I don't think anything at this time has been confirmed," said Const. Natalie Aitken from Winnipeg police.
Investigators said the suspect's vehicle is described as a black or dark-coloured SUV, resembling a Lincoln Navigator or similar type of large SUV. The vehicle may be an early 2000 model, with dark-coloured rims and dark tinted windows.
The suspect male is described as a black male with a medium to stalky build, possible wearing a hoodie.
Anyone with information about the suspect or vehicle is asked to call investigators at 986-6508, or Crime Stoppers at 786-8477.
