Linda Nguyen, Canwest News Service
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Ahmed Abdikarim, right, is comforted by people moments after lowering his 18-year-old son Abdikarim Ahmed Abdikarim, into the ground on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 Toronto. (National Post) |
Abdikarim Ahmed Abdikarim, 18, was gunned down outside a courtyard in the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood in north Toronto on March 14.
He had been hanging out with five other men between the ages of 18 and 21 when a gunman and an accomplice approached the group and without any warning, calmly opened fire into the crowd while walking backwards.
The shooting, which was caught on video surveillance cameras, was released to the media and posted online.
All five men who were with Abdikarim - identified only as Somali-Canadians - were all wounded in the shooting.
Although police always maintained that the group of men were not involved in any criminal activity at the time of the shooting and were merely socializing, it came out later that the killing of Abdikarim was a targeted hit.
Wendell Damian Cuff, 25, of Toronto was arrested Sunday and has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder and was set to appear in Toronto court Monday.
Police have also issued a warrant for a second man.
Owen Anthony Smith, 25, of Toronto is wanted by police also on one count of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder.
Investigators urge that the public do not approach Smith and to contact police immediately if they know of his whereabouts.
More details regarding the arrests were expected to be released at a news conference at Toronto police headquarters Monday.
Abdikarim was the city's 11th homicide victim of the year.
Source: Canwest News Service, Mar 30, 2008