Tuesday April 16, 2024
Toronto, (HOL) — Several murders have been reported in Canadian cities with Somali populations in recent days, according to police investigations.
The cities of Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto have seen the highest incidences of these crimes. In Calgary, police found the body of 29-year-old Liban Abdirahman in a hotel, believed to have been shot and killed at the scene. His death marks the fourth such incident in Calgary this year. Authorities are treating the case as a targeted incident but have confirmed no threat to other hotel residents or guests. No arrests have been made, although a suspect detained at the scene was later released.
In Edmonton, police discovered the body of Mohamed Abdi, 32, in a truck. Abdi had been shot deliberately, and his death is the ninth murder reported in the city this year. A white truck was seen fleeing the scene, and police are searching for more witnesses.
Toronto also reported a shocking incident where a 30-year-old man, Ibrahim Abdikarim, was shot three times near Queen and Portland streets in a daylight attack. The chaos caused bystanders to flee for safety, and the suspect escaped in a vehicle. The connection between Abdikarim and the assailant remains unclear.
Shamso, Ibrahim's mother, expressed deep frustration with the police's handling of the investigations. "It's excruciating, especially now," she told the BBC. "The lack of progress and information is deeply concerning."
Sharif Haji, the first Somali member of the Alberta Parliament, criticized the response to these killings. He spoke last week in parliament and plans to challenge the Minister of Security and the Minister of Justice on their handling of the violence affecting young Somalis. "These tragic events have escalated, and the Somali community must stand together," Haji stated. He also plans to discuss the issue further with the council and other officials.
Community members, including parents and social activists, stressed the need for action against the violence targeting Somali youth, emphasizing the importance of breaking the silence.
- With files from the BBC