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Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fourth person charged in woman's 2023 slaying
Winnipeg homicide detectives have charged a fourth suspect in connection with the slaying of a 30-year-old woman who was last seen alive near Polo Park mall nearly two years ago. Homicide investigators arrested Katrina Musawagon, 32, at the city remand centre Tuesday. She's charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Shelby Dawn Hayward, the Winnipeg Police Service said Thursday. SUPPLIED Shelby Dawn Hayward, 30, was reported missing to the Winnipeg Police Service in November 2023, after she was last spotted near Polo Park mall. Winnipeg police now say Hayward was the victim of a slaying. Musawagon has a criminal record that consists of two counts of assault, one of assaulting a peace officer and court order breaches committed in 2011 and 2012. She was given a suspended sentence and two years of probation in Thompson provincial court in 2012 for the assaults and two of the breaches. Musawagon also remains before the court on a slew of drug trafficking and firearms possession charges allegedly committed in December. She's due in court on the trafficking charges on June 12 and the slaying and gun charges June 13. Musawagon is the fifth person to be charged in Hayward's disappearance and death. Investigators previously arrested and laid first-degree murder charges against Tamara Gayle Moneyas, 24; Vincent Charles Fontaine, 39; and Taylor Lena Ray Moose, 25. Fontaine is the only other accused with a record, which includes sex assault, breaching court orders, common assault, mischief and drug possession. Police identified another suspect, who died during the investigation, police have said. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. Homicide detectives believe Hayward was killed between Oct. 20 and Oct. 30, 2023, records show. Hayward was last seen in the area of Polo Park on Oct. 20 and was reported missing on Nov. 17. Missing persons investigators put out a plea to the public in early January, asking for information on Hayward's disappearance. Those investigators handled the case until homicide detectives took over, after they confirmed Hayward was dead. First-degree murder charges indicate police and prosecutors believe Hayward's death to have been planned and deliberate. 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
3 days 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
23-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
City seeks 24-hour mobile unit to help homeless, sets aside $275K
The City of Winnipeg is seeking 24-hour mobile outreach services to support the homeless, with a focus on getting people out of encampments and into safe housing. The city has budgeted up to $275,000 to pay one or more groups to do the work, with the proponents required to align with the Your Way Home strategy, as per new request for proposals. 'The strategy that the province has laid out involves agencies and the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba all moving in the same direction, so that we're focused on getting people out of encampments, off of riverbanks (and) into housing with wrap-around supports… There may be different philosophies when it comes to homelessness. We want to make sure that we are funding those agencies that are working in full alliance with (the) strategy,' said Mayor Scott Gillingham. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES 'We need to put people into housing. We don't have enough housing right now, so that… is the biggest bottleneck,' said Mayor Scott Gillingham. The $20-million, two-year, provincially led Your Way Home strategy aims to move several hundred people out of encampments and into housing. When he introduced the strategy in January, Premier Wab Kinew said encampments will be moved only after housing is secured for every person living at an entire site. He said emptied encampments would be cleaned up and monitored by foot patrols to prevent people from moving back to them. By early May, the province credited the program with finding homes for 33 people. However, some residents say encampments that were removed continue to re-emerge at the same sites, despite the goal to prevent that. When asked if he thinks the strategy has proven successful, Gillingham said he believes it has taken initial steps forward amid significant obstacles. 'We need more housing units for this strategy to be fully successful, because it's a housing first strategy… It's very difficult to treat someone's addiction or mental health if they're living in an encampment down by a river. We need to put people into housing. We don't have enough housing right now, so that… is the biggest bottleneck,' he said. The city's RFP notes outreach providers will be expected to 'rapidly transition' people out of encampments and into better accommodations, among other services. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. 'In addition to this role, and during periods when accessible housing is not available, outreach services will provide ongoing safety and well-being checks, transportation, transfer to emergency shelters, and referrals to other service providers, such as housing, health care, mental health and addictions services,' it notes. The contract will cover outreach efforts to people living at encampments from July 1 to Dec. 31, with the option of two one-year extensions. The city will accept bids for the work until June 12. 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba bill encourages trade with other provinces
The Manitoba government wants to give preferential treatment to other provinces that remove barriers to buying and selling goods and services within Canada. Bill 47 establishes 'mutual recognition rules' to facilitate more inter-regional trade and rebrands June 1 as 'Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day.' 'A competitive and open economy within Canada, that is open to trade and encourages domestic buy-in will make sure that we remain the 'True North, Strong and Free,'' Trade Minister Jamie Moses told the legislative assembly as he read aloud the proposed legislation for the first time Thursday. Moses said the bill aims to increase the flow of goods, services and investments between Manitoba and the rest of the country. It gives Manitoba the power to designate another province or territory that takes similar steps to remove barriers to trade as a 'reciprocating jurisdiction.' That means another region's products will be treated as if they have met local certification, testing and quality standards and will not be subject to additional approval requirements and related fees. Out-of-province services will also be exempt from related red tape. These changes fulfil the province's 'commitment to continue to grow our province's economic resilience and prosperity,' said Moses, whose extensive portfolio includes business, mining, trade and job creation. At the same time, the minister said he wants to start recognizing June 1 as a special day to celebrate local businesses. Premier Wab Kinew met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford last week to sign a bilateral deal to increase the movement of goods and labour. Ford's government recently tabled legislation to loosen protections on certain goods and services that Ontario gets from elsewhere in Canada. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie 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
21-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Thieves make tracks with community club's ski-trail grooming equipment
Thieves struck a south Winnipeg community centre over the long weekend, grinding through padlocks before making off with close to $100,000 worth of specialized ski trail grooming equipment. Wildwood Park Community Centre lost an orange Polaris side-by-side with a track plow kit, tow-behind trail groomer and a 6.5-metre-long double-wide trailer. 'Yesterday, we went to grab it and it was gone and the locks were laying on the ground,' volunteer Brent Prusak, who manages the centre's cross-country ski trails, said Wednesday. BRENT PRUSAK PHOTO Wildwood Community Centre's trailer with the orange Polaris side-by-side with a track plow kit and tow-behind trail groomer was stolen by thieves. 'I just kind of felt sick to my stomach for a few minutes.' Prusak, who owned the trailer, loaded it with the equipment and was temporarily storing it next to the centre. He planned to transport it to a friend's secure facility on Friday, but was sidelined by other commitments over the long weekend. He estimated replacing the side-by-side alone could cost about $60,000, while the groomer and trailer could cost $19,000 and $15,000, respectively. It's a major blow for the community centre, where volunteers have used the equipment to maintain a network of ski trails for three seasons, he said. 'We are just working on, hopefully, recovering it, No.1, but if we can't recover it we are going to have to replace it all,' he said. 'It's a big haul.' BRENT PRUSAK PHOTO It is estimated that replacing the side-by-side alone could cost about $60,000, while the groomer and trailer could cost $19,000 and $15,000 each. Based on accounts from neighbourhood witnesses, who said they last saw the trailer during the day Sunday, Prusak believes the theft occurred sometime overnight or early Monday morning. The community centre reported the theft to the Winnipeg Police Service, and spokesperson Ally Cox confirmed an investigation is underway. Efforts are ongoing to locate surveillance footage from nearby cameras and identify the suspects and vehicle used in the theft, Prusak said. 'Someone in the city saw this thing going down the road; you cannot miss it,' Prusak said. 'The only thing with that is (suspects) usually use stolen vehicles to do this type of work, or stolen licence plates.' Prusak said he and his fellow volunteers are trying to remain positive in the wake of the theft by focusing on the fact that nobody was hurt. BRENT PRUSAK PHOTO 'Yesterday, we went to grab it and it was gone and the locks were laying on the ground,' volunteer Brent Prusak said Wednesday. 'It's just equipment. It can all be replaced,' he said, adding trail grooming will continue next season, whether or not the stolen equipment is recovered. Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler 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.
