Two charged in multiple gun offences

The Calgary Police Service has charged two men in relation to three separate weapons-related offences that occurred over the past year, including a homicide and an attempted murder.

January Attempted Murder

At approximately 8:15 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, two men went into a convenience store in the 5300 block of Rundlehorn Drive N.E., to make a purchase. As they left the store and walked through a parking lot, they were approached and nearly struck by a vehicle. A verbal altercation occurred before one of the pedestrians was shot by someone in the vehicle.

As the vehicle fled the area, more shots were fired from the vehicle. The victim, a man in his 20s, was transported to hospital in life-threatening condition. He was treated and has since been released from hospital.

Investigators believe the victim did not know the person(s) in the vehicle and that the shooting was the result of a verbal altercation over a near-miss collision between the vehicle and the pedestrians.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, the Homicide Unit and the Centralized General Investigation Section arrested and charged Talal AMER, and Redear KADIR-SHAHWAN in relation to the January shooting.

Talal AMER, 22, of Calgary, is charged with use of a firearm during the commission of an offense, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, having a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition and mischief to property under $5,000. AMER will next appear in court on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.

Redear KADIR-SHAHWAN, 22, of Calgary is charged in relation to the January shooting with attempted murder, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition. KADIR-SHAHWAN appeared in court this morning, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015.

November Homicide

At approximately 5 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, a man entered a barber shop located in the 5100 block of 20 Avenue S.E. He engaged a customer in a quick conversation before pulling a gun and shooting him. The victim died as a result of the shooting.

The victim was identified as Khalid EL-AJAMI, 30, of Calgary. Investigators believe EL-AJAMI was targeted as a result of an ongoing dispute over drugs.

Following an investigation by the Homicide Unit, supported by the Guns and Gangs Unit, the Centralized General Investigative Unit, and numerous other areas across the Service, Redear KADIR-SHAHWAN has been charged with first-degree murder. He appeared in court this morning, however, a next court date is not yet known.

Drug and Weapons Seizure

At the time of his arrest for the homicide, Redear KADIR-SHAHWAN was also charged by the Guns and Gangs Unit in relation to the Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, seizure of $225,000 worth of drugs and five firearms with ammunition. The original release containing a detailed list of the drugs and weapons that were seized, can be found on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

KADIR-SHAHWAN has been charged with two counts of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, two counts of contravention of the Firearms Act, two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon.

In the original release, police were looking for a Wael HAMMOUD, who was wanted on warrants in connection to the case. HAMMOUD has since been located and was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. A next court appearance date is not yet known at this time.