Winnipeggers hold downtown vigil for 2 Hargrave homicide victims

Dozens of people came together and held a vigil on Donald Street in downtown Winnipeg Sunday night after two men were killed on the street just hours apart Saturday.

• Police release photos of person of interest in homicides targeting the homeless

Police said two men — one of them homeless and the other known to spend a lot of time on the streets — were likely killed by the same person and on the same block on Hargrave Street.

And on Sunday, about 50 Winnipeggers gathered near the scene of the crimes to honour the victims and raise awareness about the violence facing homeless people.

"As a community it always hits us really hard when we experience a loss, especially those that are already in a vulnerable position," said Chelsea Cardinal, one of the vigil organizers. "We want the community to know there's people out there that love them and care about them and are here to look after their well being."

Cardinal hopes more people pay attention to the city's homeless community.

"I think it's important to raise awareness that we're a community and we as community members have a responsibility to protect one another," said Cardinal. 

"Unfortunately we have a high population of people who are vulnerable for multiple reasons, living in homelessness, poverty, addiction, mental health [issues] ... just because they live with these things doesn't mean their lives are any [less] important than mine or yours."

Police have released photos of a man they're considering a person of interest. They are also trying to track down another man and a woman who were in the area Saturday and could have information that would help investigators. None of the three persons of interest are considered suspects at this time.

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