WINNIPEG — The victim in the city’s latest homicide has a connection to another notorious fatal shooting in Winnipeg almost exactly a year ago.
Justin Latinecz, 22, was killed and a 27-year-old man was injured in a shooting in a residential area on Essex Avenue near St. Mary’s Road at around 4 a.m. Sunday, police said.
Sources told 680 CJOB radio Latinecz was with a man shot and killed at the Salisbury House at Pembina Highway and Stafford Street almost exactly one year ago. Jeffrey Lau was shot inside the restaurant on Sept. 27, 2012. Police didn’t make an arrest until February. That shooting was tied to the volatile drug trade of local gangs.
A photo on Facebook of Latinecz shows a tattoo on his neck with the date of Lau’s death.
It’s believed Latinecz was a friend or associate of Lau. It’s unclear if the two killings are connected.
It’s believed the shooting happened outside a home in St. Vital.
“It’s rare to see police in this area. It’s been a couple years,” Jillian Jennings, who lives in the area, said after the shootings.
Officers taped off a back lane and the street while detectives investigated.
“I don’t have the particulars surrounding the circumstances at this point,” Const. Eric Hofley of the Winnipeg Police Service said following the shootings. “Investigators … are looking to speak with anybody who may have information about this.”
There is no word yet on any suspects or arrests in connection with the shooting.
“At this time I don’t have any information to believe that this is someone that is going to be continuing on immediately with this type of violent behaviour,” Hofley said.
(with files from 680 CJOB)
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