'The only thing bigger than his smile was his heart': Calgary's latest homicide victim remembered
Meghan Grant | CBC News | Posted: November 5, 2017 8:01 PM | Last Updated: November 6, 2017
Calgary police are looking for a person of interest in Olara Obina's killing
Update — Nov. 6, 2017: Police have located the person of interest they were seeking and said he is "not considered a suspect."
Original story below.
Friends of Calgary's latest homicide victim are remembering Olara Obina, 29, as a man "who could always find the good in people."
"The only thing bigger than his smile was his heart," said Obina's friend Paul in a statement to CBC News. "He had so many people close to him because of how he made you feel about yourself."
Paul has asked that his last name not be used.
Police won't reveal a victim's name until after an autopsy but several friends have identified Obina in online tributes.
On Saturday afternoon, Obina's body was found in a car parked in a back alley near his home on the 0-100 block of Ranchero Rise N.W.
Obina had been shot but Paul says his friend's violent death is not a reflection of how he lived or who he was.
"He only wanted two things in life; to make his mom happy and to make the world a happier place," he said.
Police say they haven't yet figured out what the motive for the killing was but said in a release they believe the shooting took place in the early morning hours on Friday.
On Sunday police released the name of a person of interest. Homicide detectives are asking the public for help in locating 29-year-old Charles Oneka, who they say could have information relating to the case.
Police also said in a news release that they believe it was a targeted attack.
Friends have set up an online fundraiser to help Obina's family with funeral costs.
Obina was a passionate skateboarder who was even sponsored at one point when he was younger. Paul became friends with Obina when the two were in grade 10.
"Even in high school, didn't matter if you were a jock or a musician, Olara wanted to be your friend because he could always find the good in people."
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