Regina homicide victim was shot in own home trying to break up fight: witnesses

A 17-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Regina 23-year-old Majok Agwait Majok. 

In a news release, the Regina Police Service said officers were called to the 500 block of Wascana Street at about 1:30 a.m. CST Friday for a critically injured man.  First responders attempted to resuscitate Majok but he was pronounced dead at about 1:41 a.m. CST. 

The accused teen made his first appearance in provincial court on Monday morning. He cannot be named due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act. His lawyer asked that his charges not be read aloud and the judge said he can appear by video court next time due to the nature of his charges. 

Majok's girlfriend Naomi Shingoose, 24, and his friend Emanwil Ginawi, 22, say Majok was killed trying to break up a fight and that it happened in the home Shingoose and Majok shared.

"All he was trying to do was separate two people from fighting and ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time," Shingoose said, her voice breaking.

"He didn't have to do what he did but he tried to prevent, that's what he always tried to do — he always tried to make peace."

Majok wanted to start a family, both said. Shingoose said the two had planned to start a new life elsewhere. A party started at the home around 9 p.m. but trouble started around 1 a.m.

"Nobody understands why it happened," she said. 

Ginawi, who knew Majok since elementary school, described himself as Majok's right-hand man, two friends who were always together.

"I just want everybody to know that he loved cooking, that's what he loved to do," Ginawi said. He added that Majok earned the nickname "Chef MJ."

"Losing a young man's life in a senseless killing is devastating," said James Guichwang, a family friend who is also the chairman of the South Sudanese-Canadian Association of Regina.

The Majok family came to Regina from Egypt in 2003. Majok had seven siblings. In court, his mother and sister were crying and holding each other. When the accused appeared, Majok's sister ran out crying. 

"Since the incident, the family are all consoled by the community," said Guichwang. "People have been going to their residence every evening, every day. Some people even stay overnight. 

"They're coping with it but it's not easy yet."

Guichwang described Majok as a humble person who was very involved in community events. 

"He was a very nice young man," he said.  

The suspect is due in court again on Feb. 5. Guichwang said Majok's family doesn't know the details of what led to the fatal tragedy. 

Police say all 3 weekend deaths are homicide

Majok's death was ruled to be Regina's second homicide of 2020. A third quickly followed on Saturday. 

Then, late Monday afternoon, the Regina police confirmed the city's fourth homicide and identified the victim as 49-year-old Rodney Troy Ruberry.

Police were called Friday afternoon about 3:19 p.m. CST to the 4400 block of Dewdney Avenue. Officers found Ruberry critically injured. He was taken to hospital but died a few hours later. 

No arrest has been made.

At about 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 25, Regina police were called to the 1200 block of Rae St. for a report of a gunshot fired and an injured person. 

Police arrived and found an injured man at the scene who was unresponsive. EMS attended and pronounced the man dead. 

The Regina Police Service and Saskatchewan Coroner's Service concluded it was a homicide.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Isaiah Trent Allary. 

Police say Devon Wayne Cyr, 25, is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition and failure to comply with a prohibition order.

He also appeared in court at 9:30 a.m. CST on Monday and was held in custody until his next scheduled appearance on Jan. 30.

Regina's first homicide of 2020 was Keesha Cree Alexandra Bitternose, a 29-year-old woman from the George Gordon First Nation.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to contact the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.