Police tell CBC that there have been nine homicides this year, with six of them in the last two weeks.
And while the nine homicides by April are not significantly higher than in previous years, a police spokesman says “six in two weeks is unheard of.”
The most recent death occurred Friday night in the Crescent Heights neighborhood, where police say a man in his 20s was killed by gunfire.
Police say that around 8:30 p.m. the man and his friend left Jerusalem Shawarma at 1608 Second St. NW and went to their parked SUV in the alley behind the restaurant.
“While sitting in a black SUV, unknown assailants appeared and fired multiple shots at the vehicle,” police said in a statement.
According to police, the driver of the SUV headed to the hospital while calling 911 for help. The man in his 20s had been wounded by multiple gunshots.
The SUV stopped at 16 NE and Deerfoot Trail NE where emergency responders arrived and a man was pronounced dead, police said.
Investigators say it is too early to say whether this death is related to the other two homicides that have occurred in the last two days.
Calgary police have released this photo of a driver in a Chevrolet Venture minivan. Investigators say it is a “vehicle of interest” in connection with a homicide that occurred on Friday afternoon. (Submitted by Calgary Police Department)
Earlier in the day, police were called to the Radisson Heights community after receiving reports of gunfire around 1:30 p.m.
Police say emergency responders found a man in a life-threatening condition at Radcliffe Close SE and he died shortly afterwards.
The researchers shared photos of a beige or gray Chevrolet Venture minivan that they say is a “vehicle of interest”. They warn the public not to approach the van, but to call 911 immediately if they find it.
Police are also seeking information on the murder of a 16-year-old in the Lake Arbor area, who has now been identified as Jal Acor Jal.
Investigators say the first responders were sent to a green area behind the 100-square-foot block of Arbor Meadows Close NW on Thursday night, where an injured man was reportedly found.
He was dead on arrival, police say.
“This is a shocking record as the victim is so young,” said the sergeant. Sean Gregson, of the Calgary Police homicide unit.
Anyone who has information or footage from a dashcam camera regarding these cases is kindly requested to call the police emergency number at 403-266-1234 or call anonymously at Crime Stoppers.
