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Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Murder charge stayed against man accused in slaying at soccer complex
Crown prosecutors have stayed first-degree murder charges against one of the three men accused in the shooting death of a 22 year old at a Winnipeg soccer complex last summer. Mohamed Yusuf Abdullahi, 22, suffered multiple gunshot wounds in what Winnipeg homicide detectives believe was a targeted slaying in the parking lot of the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex shortly before midnight July 13, 2024. Crown prosecutors entered the stay of proceedings on Ibrahim Bangura's murder charge on May 13 after they determined his 'involvement is different than the co-accused,' a provincial government spokesman said. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Mohamed Yusuf Abdullahi was killed in what police described as a targeted slaying in the parking lot of the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex shortly before midnight July 13, 2024. No further details were made public. Bangura, who was 26 when homicide detectives arrested him in Winnipeg on Jan. 20, was one of three co-accused. Norbert Kipala was 27 when he was arrested Feb. 5 and charged with first-degree murder. He was picked up at a Thunder Bay, Ont., jail, where he was being held. Court records show Kipala faces drug, gun and other charges in that city. A Canada-wide first-degree murder warrant for the third suspect, Tresor Horimbere, remains active. Horimbere has not been arrested, Winnipeg Police Service spokeswoman Ally Cox confirmed Tuesday. He has family and friends in Winnipeg but could be in Ontario, police have said. SUPPLIED A photo of homicide victim Mohamed Yusuf Abdullahi that was displayed at a memorial at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex last July. Investigators believe the suspects were part of the 100-spectator crowd watching a game at the complex on Waverley Street and Victor Lewis Drive. Abdullahi played in the Canada African Cup of Nations match just before he was gunned down. The killing is not suspected to be directly connected to the tournament. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The suspects may have covered their faces at the game to avoid identifying themselves, police have said. Police suspect the drug world and possible gang connections may have played a role in the killing. Abdullahi and his family arrived in Canada in 2014 as refugees after escaping civil war in Somalia, mourners were told at a memorial last year. SUPPLIED A Canada-wide first-degree murder warrant for the third suspect, 22-year-old Tresor Horimbere, remains active. He was remembered as a youth full of promise and a talented soccer player who had organized a training camp for kids, and was interested in auto mechanics. Erik PinderaReporter Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik. Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeggers eager to speak at city hall on proposed residential zoning changes
Sweeping changes meant to attract more homes to many Winnipeg lots are up for debate at city hall, with more than 50 residents expected to weigh in. A hearing began Monday morning to consider the changes, which would allow up to four housing units to be built on a single lot in most residential areas, and permit fourplexes up to 12 metres tall within 800 metres of high-frequency transit stops. The changes would remove requirements to complete a potentially time-consuming city application process and public hearing to get such proposals approved. Winnipegger Stuart Thompson said he fears the changes will have unwanted side effects. 'I recognize that we need the housing, but the main concern is the lack of a voice that we'll have after this goes through (due to the removal of required public hearings on many projects). These changes are going to be permanent,' Thompson said in an interview. 'I recognize that we need the housing, but the main concern is the lack of a voice that we'll have after this goes through (due to the removal of required public hearings on many projects).'– Winnipegger Stuart Thompson He said lot sizes near his home are typically about 40 feet wide. Under the new rules, building a triplex next door with limited side yards would create several problems, he said. 'It's going to be like looking at a giant stucco wall. If there are any windows along that wall, then they're looking down on me in my backyard. I've got no privacy. The height of the house will be creating excessive shade. I won't be able to plant anything in my yard. It's those types of impacts I really don't think they're seeing,' he said. By contrast, Michael Hems said he believes the major zoning changes would be a step in the right direction. 'We don't have the money to support our infrastructure that we already have (in Winnipeg), so we should really start thinking about stopping our outward sprawl,' Hems told the Free Press. The South Osborne resident said his neighbourhood offers a local example of 'density done right.' 'We just need to look into our mature communities and see these are streets that we can use as a model — a real good mix of housing for all types of people,' he said. 'I think these are moderate changes but changes that will get us in a better direction and allow a bit more flexibility for accommodating the housing needs of people in Winnipeg.'– Dylon Martin, spokesperson for pro-infill group Yes in My Backyard Winnipeg Dylon Martin, a spokesperson for the pro-infill group Yes in My Backyard Winnipeg, agreed. 'I think these are moderate changes but changes that will get us in a better direction and allow a bit more flexibility for accommodating the housing needs of people in Winnipeg,' said Martin. The city's official proponent for the change noted the major shift is aimed at streamlining construction to get homes built faster. 'The zoning changes… (aim to) make it easier to build housing in more locations. It is one tool out of many to address the housing supply in our country,' said John Kiernan, a former Winnipeg planning, property and development director, who now acts as a project co-ordinator for the city. Kiernan said the new zoning rules include restrictions that aim to balance the nationally imposed changes with local needs, including ensuring minimum sewage capacity and lot sizes for projects, as well as setting maximum building heights. 'It's very difficult to find housing in Winnipeg right now. There's a lot of pressure…. We need more housing built as quickly as possible.'– Mayor Scott Gillingham Mayor Scott Gillingham said he'll keep an 'open mind' on the hearing's outcome but the city must work to attract more home construction. 'It's very difficult to find housing in Winnipeg right now. There's a lot of pressure…. We need more housing built as quickly as possible,' said Gillingham. The city is also required to make significant zoning changes to qualify for hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding earmarked for Winnipeg, he noted. 'The federal government has put conditions on funding envelopes that they made available (to) the City of Winnipeg. Those include Housing Accelerator Funds, Canada Housing Infrastructure Funds and transit funds. The City of Winnipeg currently is in line for over $450 million worth of federal funding, but it's all subject to the city making the changes that… are being proposed in this hearing by our public service,' said Gillingham. During a recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference, Prime Minister Mark Carney gave 'no indication' his government would remove any of the funding conditions, the mayor said. Related Articles Welcome to the neighbourhood — sort of An opportunity for growth City seeks policy ideas to promote affordable housing Councillor decries city decision to hold single in-person public hearing on contentious zoning-change proposal River buffer zones urged in new housing density rules City's proposed zoning rules on new housing 'strike a balance' Coun. Brian Mayes, who has expressed concerns about the loss of public feedback, said some positive adjustments have been made to the new rules. 'I think the document's come a long way from where we started. That doesn't mean I'm satisfied with where it is,' said Mayes (St. Vital). The councillor said he'd still like the city to require lots without back lanes to allow triplexes and fourplexes only if they are at least 20 metres wide, partly to allow more parking space. City staff recently made one change to the zoning proposal, which will prevent three- and four-unit builds on many residential lots that abut a river, following complaints that denser construction would reduce public access to waterways. The hearing was adjourned at about 5:15 Monday afternoon. It will resume Tuesday morning. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Global News
a day ago
- Sport
- Global News
ANALYSIS: Could hometown hero Toews finish NHL career in Winnipeg?
Five Manitoba-born players have suited up for the Winnipeg Jets in the 14-year history of the 2.0 version of the franchise. There is a genuine opportunity for that number to grow to six in season 15. The last Manitoban to wear a Jets jersey in an NHL regular-season game was Winnipegger Adam Brooks in 2021-22. Story continues below advertisement Cody Eakin is the only homegrown product to appear in the post-season for Winnipeg — and that was the play-in series versus Calgary in the Edmonton Bubble in 2020. Quinton Howden, Eric Fehr and Derek Meech are the only others with a Manitoba birth certificate of the group of 160 players who have played for the 2.0 Jets. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But there is every reason to believe that come July 1, or maybe even sooner, it won't be a reach that Jonathan Toews could become the next made-in-Manitoba product to join that list. And without a doubt, there would be the expectation — both from himself and the hockey club — to make the biggest impact. Toews, through his agent Pat Brisson, has made it clear he's ready to return to the National Hockey League. I'm not sure there would be a better fit than his hometown Jets. Story continues below advertisement There is no doubt the three-time Stanley Cup champ wouldn't be putting himself out there if he didn't believe he could still be an effective NHL player. Even after a more-than-two-year absence. And even at the age of 37. Forget about the sentimental aspect of 'Captain Serious' finishing a Hall of Fame career in front of his family and friends. The Jets are a legitimate Cup contender. They are deep up front, so Toews doesn't need to be 'the guy.' But there is still a big enough role available at second-line centre to provide plenty of appeal to a very proud player. Winnipeg will not be the only team interested. But the Jets just might offer the opportunity that turns out to be the most interesting for Toews. 4:25 John Shannon on the Jets: Looking to the offseason
Winnipeg Free Press
26-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Judge adjourns landmark private prosecution animal-rights case until later date
What was supposed to be the start of landmark court proceedings in Winnipeg — believed to be the first time a private prosecution involving farm animals has reached trial in Canada — was quickly adjourned Monday to a later date. Animal-rights organization Animal Justice took the rare step of obtaining judicial approval to privately prosecute Swan River-area horse exporter Carolyle Farms over a Dec. 12, 2022 shipment by air of horses which it alleges violated the law. The animal-rights organization alleges the shipment of horses to Japan, where horse meat is sold raw as a culinary delicacy, unlawfully exceeded the 28-hour time limit under federal legislation that live horses are allowed to be in transport without food and water. The farm owners' defence lawyer, Lindsay Mulholland, successfully argued for an adjournment over late disclosure in front of provincial court Judge Stacy Cawley, after private prosecutor Dan Stein disclosed evidence to her last week and Sunday evening. Mulholland argued she needed more time to review the evidence in order to fully answer to the charge on behalf of her client. Among the evidence she said she received late was the extent one of the private prosecution's proposed expert witnesses had advocated against the horse-shipment industry, including by signing a petition seeking legislative change. Stein opposed the motion, arguing the defence had most of the evidence that was to be called, with only minor information sent late, while questions of the qualifications of expert witnesses had been raised at pre-trial. 'In my view, fairness dictates that I must grant the adjournment request in order to make full answer in defence,' said Cawley. Animal Justice alleges the farm failed to have a contingency plan in place to respond to unforeseen delays that could result in the suffering of an animal. Farm owner Lyle Lumax previously argued the shipment followed best practices, with input on the ground from Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials, Japanese officials and the plane company. Private prosecutions, which are rarely heard in the Canadian justice system, involve an individual — rather than authorities such as police or the Crown — with evidence of reasonable and probable grounds asking the court to authorize a charge against a person they believe committed a crime. The charge was approved to proceed to trial by a provincial court judge last year. Further trial dates are to be set early next month. Erik PinderaReporter Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik. Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Indecent exposure allegations a lesson for parents: police
A man accused of exposing himself to students in a West End schoolyard on Tuesday afternoon was arrested milling around the area the next day. Staff at General Wolfe School, which has students from grades 7-9, called city police about the incident at about 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Winnipeg School Division superintendent Matt Henderson said in a statement. Staff told officers a man had entered the Banning Street school's grounds and exposed himself to several children and made an 'inappropriate request' of the victims, police said. Staff quickly intervened and got the man off the property before calling for law enforcement, said Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Stephen Spencer. Child abuse investigators took over and identified a suspect before arresting him shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday on Banning Street. 'It's concerning for the children at the school that may not know exactly how to handle it,' said Spencer of the incident. 'Luckily there was teachers on site there to take over the situation and deal with it and make sure it ended as quick as it could.' Spencer said the incident serves as a reminder for parents to have conversations with their kids about safety, so they can have plans in place when danger arises. The suspect is known to hang around in the area of the school. 'From what I understand, the individual is known to the students and the teachers,' said Spencer. Kevin Tibay Maliwanag, 33, is charged with invitation to sexual touching and indecent exposure to a person under 16. He was released on court conditions that include no contact with anyone under 18, lest he face further charges. Maliwanag has a minor criminal record with prior convictions for forcible entry, mischief to property and breaching court orders. Court heard at a 2021 sentencing hearing he had been homeless for several months and an addiction to methamphetamine had been a 'long-standing' issue for him for about five years at the time. 'When he is high… he hallucinates (and) is a completely different person and unpredictable,' a Crown prosecutor said a family member told her. The statement from the school division's superintendent did not address questions posed by the Free Press, including whether counsellors or other supports were brought in for students and if officials plan to review security of the school grounds. 'All students and staff were safe,' said the statement. 'WSD encourages all our families throughout the school year to discuss safety protocols with their child while walking to and from school.' — with files from Dean Pritchard Erik PinderaReporter Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik. Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
