Halifax Regional Police says two youths have been released without charges as they continue to investigate the homicide of a teenager Monday evening.
Police were called to a parking lot at the Halifax Shopping Centre shortly after 5 p.m., where they found an injured male youth. The teenager was taken to hospital, where he later died.
On Tuesday, police identified the victim as 16-year-old Ahmad Maher Al Marrach.
“Our focus right now is moving this investigation forward so we can bring … these individuals to justice,” HRP spokesperson Cst. John MacLeod told reporters outside police headquarters.
“There’s a young man, his family out there is certainly going through a great loss right now.”
Two youths who were arrested in connection with the homicide investigation Monday were released Tuesday without charges, MacLeod said.
“At this point, we’re not in a position in relation to lay specific charges to those two individuals,” he said. “We wouldn’t be able to speculate on where the evidence will take us in the investigation, but at this particular point we’re not in a position to lay charges.”
MacLeod said the investigation is in its early stages. While he wouldn’t say if the victim and suspects were known to each other, police do not believe it was a random incident.
“We do have suspects that we’re looking at, and we are moving this case forward,” he said.
MacLeod said there have been videos circulating on social media about the incident, and cautioned against sharing such videos.
“It could impact the investigation, and that’s important, but more importantly, there’s a family out there … it can be very disturbing and traumatic for them,” he said.
Anyone with information or video from the area is asked to call police at 902-490-5020 rather than posting on social media.
Ummah Masjid and Community Centre asked for prayers for the teen’s family and shared funeral details in a post on Facebook.
“Please pray for the family, his loved ones and all our youth as it’s a devastating loss for all in the community,” the post read in part.
In a statement, Halifax Shopping Centre spokesperson Stephanie Schnare said they were “deeply affected by this tragic event and extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim.”
“The safety and security of our visitors and staff remain our top priority,” she said. “We are fully cooperating with Halifax Regional Police as they continue their investigation.”
She did not say if the mall would be increasing security measures.
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Many people were shaken by what happened Monday evening. Halifax Regional Council took a moment of silence Tuesday in remembrance of the victim.
“We’ll be thinking of the family of the young man who was killed yesterday in Halifax,” said Mayor Mike Savage.
Resident Noah Sferrazza Papa said it was “troubling” that the homicide happened in a place where “so many families are and so many people come to eat.”
Iesha Benedict, another resident, said while she feels safe in the area most of the time, the incident made her feel “uneasy.”
“I think it’s very uncommon here, (so) it’s very shocking news when I read about it and heard about it,” she said. “It’s disheartening … I just hope the family’s doing OK.”
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