Police looking for suspect, 40, after 28-year-old killed near Winnipeg shelter

A 28-year-old Winnipeg woman was killed near a core area shelter on Monday morning, police say, and they are now looking for a 40-year-old woman who they believe was involved. 

Falin Johnston, 28, was found dead in a multi-room residence on the 100 block of Henry Avenue around 9:20 a.m. on Monday, after the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called about a medical incident, according to a Friday news release from police.

The Winnipeg Police Service's news release did not identify the residence, but CBC has confirmed that Johnston was found in the Salvation Army Centre of Hope, at the corner of Main Street and Henry Avenue.

Johnston's death was determined to be a homicide following an autopsy, police said.

Al Hoeft, divisional secretary of public relations with Salvation Army's Prairie division, told CBC that while Johnston was found in the shelter, she had actually been assaulted just outside it.

She had been a resident there for a while, he said.

"Obviously, it's very distressing for any of our staff and residents," he told CBC News during a Friday interview.

"At the moment, the followup that we're doing is really related to the care for our staff and our residents to make sure that everyone's fine and everybody's able to process this and move forward."

Police say they have now identified Rebecca Marina Flett, 40, as a suspect in Johnston's death and believe she has been evading police, the news release said.

Hoeft said the Salvation Army has been co-operating and assisting Winnipeg police with their investigation, and its shelters are equipped with security and surveillance cameras.

Flett is described as five-feet-four-inches tall and about 160 pounds, with a medium build and long brown hair. 

Anyone with information regarding Flett's whereabouts or about the incident is asked to call the Winnipeg police homicide unit at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).