Winnipeg police release footage of 2 suspects sought in connection with fatal 2020 shooting
Gunshots heard as two suspects pass by dashcam where shooting occurred
Winnipeg police released footage on Friday of two suspects recorded moments before the summer 2020 shooting death of Mohammed Yonis Ali.
In the short video, two suspects are seen approaching a vehicle, which has a dashboard camera recording their approach. As they pass out of frame three gunshots are heard.
"We've decided to show this video in hopes that the public will come forward and hopefully have an identification for one or both of the suspects in this shooting," Const. Dani McKinnon told reporters during a Friday news conference. "We know that there's people out there who know these two guys."
Ali, 21, was originally from Toronto. He was shot near his home on Alfred Avenue in Winnipeg's North End on Aug. 26 last year and found between Alfred and Aberdeen avenues, just before 9 p.m. that night.
He was rushed to hospital but died two days later.
WATCH | WARNING: Gunshots heard in graphic footage of shooting:
In April, police released images of a woman with a tattooed left forearm who, at the time, they believed knew something about the homicide.
McKinnon says the homicide unit has since identified and spoken with that woman. McKinnon wouldn't reveal any other details about her identity, her conversation with investigators or any possible links with the homicide or suspects.
McKinnon says both suspects are assumed to be men at this stage.
One of two in the video released Friday is described as between 5-foot-11 and 6-foot-1, with an average build. He was wearing silver framed glasses, a light coloured jacket, dark baseball cap and dark footwear with white soles, police said.
A second suspect is described as 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 and obese. He was wearing a dark hoodie that has a North Face logo on front, police said. He was wearing dark pants and dark shoes in the video.
Asked whether the shooting was targeted or random, McKinnon declined to answer, saying the focus of the Friday footage release is to drum up help from the public identifying the suspects.
McKinnon wouldn't share whether the suspects are still believed to be in the city.
She added that it is rare to capture the moments leading up to the criminal offence, as well as the sounds of gunshots during the killing.
"I think that just really speaks to how [dashcam] technology has developed and how businesses and private residents are really protecting themselves with video," McKinnon said.
She wouldn't divulge how police obtained the video.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Winnipeg police homicide unit at 204-986-6508 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).
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