Fatal shooting of man in northeast Edmonton was case of mistaken identity: EPS

The murder of a man in northeast Edmonton last month was a case of mistaken identity linked to two rival groups in the city, according to police.

The Edmonton Police Service says Usama Ibrahinadan was shot and killed while leaving his home – north of 144 Avenue and 72 Street – to go to work on March 15 around 6:30 a.m.

Police believe his death is linked to the March 7 murders of Mohamed Fofanah and Mya Abialmouna. They both died of multiple gunshot wounds while inside a vehicle at 132A Avenue and 66 Street.

Homicide detectives say Ibrahinadan was mistaken for one of Fofanah’s close associates, who lived in the same building.

“We believe that person was the intended target,” said Det. Jared Buhler of the EPS homicide section at a press conference Tuesday.

It’s all part of a conflict related to retaliatory violence within two Edmonton groups, police say. And EPS believes there are serious concerns for future violence as the ongoing conflict continues.

“This is far from over,” added Buhler.

“It could happen anywhere. It could happen at a mall, it could happen at a party.”

WATCH: Suspect and persons of interest in northeast Edmonton shooting of Usama Ibrahinadan

The March 7 shooting of Fofanah and Abialmouna began with a traffic accident.

Police say while the parties waited for police to arrive on the scene, Fofanah and Abialmouna were shot and killed. Buhler described them as “sitting ducks” at the intersection.

Complex conflict going back years

The EPS detective painted a picture of a “complex, multi-factored” conflict between the two groups with “probably a lengthy history,” possibly going back years.

Buhler says it may have begun in some way related to the drug trade, but now it has “simply become about the conflict itself.”

EPS can’t confirm if the same shooter involved in Fofanah and Abialmouna’s deaths was involved in Ibrahinadan’s.

“Evidence is not specific enough to say that at all,” Buhler said.

A firearm was not recovered in any of those murders.

The police’s homicide unit released video Tuesday of the alleged shooter in Ibrahinadan’s death and two other people of interest.

Buhler says the shooter waited several hours for his intended target to step out of the building, and fired when Ibrahinadan emerged.

“That shooter was acting on mere suspicion that that was his target,” he said. “There’s no way he could have known for certain.”

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Police also issued detailed clothing descriptions to identify the three individuals.

Surveillance video shows the shooter wearing black “Hugo” brand sweatsuit and black Yeezy brand shoes.

Prior to the shooting, the suspect is seen on video with two men. Neither were at the scene of the shooting as it happened.

In the video, one can be seen in a blue “Jeune Studios” brand tracksuit which police have described as fairly unique.

The other man is wearing red Adidas track pants and red and white Air Jordan shoes. This man can be seen walking with a right leg limp.

Police are urging the people of interest to come forward and identify the shooter.

“You’ll be treated fairly,” said Buhler. “It’s never too late to do the right thing.”