WATCH ABOVE: The two victims of shooting’s earlier this month were members of Calgary’s Somali community. As Tracy Nagai reports, the violence has the full attention of the Chief of Police who is hoping to bridge the gap.
CALGARY- The deaths of two young men in Calgary at the beginning of January has sparked discussion about how to stop the bloodshed.
Both victims were members of Calgary’s Somali community and the violence has the full attention of the Chief of Police who is hoping to bridge the gap.
Calgary’s Police Chief Rick Hanson attended a meeting with the Somali community on Saturday night, following the presumed shooting deaths of the two Somali members, both in their 20’s.
Chief Hanson talked about building a relationship with youth at risk.
Also at the heart of the discussion, is the future of Calgary’s Somali community, including concerned parents, families determined to see the violence end.
Imam Abdi Hersy was one of many in attendance. He says there’s been a misunderstanding among Somali youth, and that misunderstanding and the gap should be breached.
“By engaging the youth more, by having police officers from our community we will have the ability to prevent fatalities,” Hersy said.
The police chief’s presence was an important step towards building a bridge and relationship with youth at risk.
“Alienated kids become alienated adults and if it’s predictable, it’s preventable. We have to invest heavily early on to make sure that it doesn’t happen,” Chief Rick Hanson said.
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The meeting comes in the wake of two deaths.
On New Year’s Day, seven people were shot during a house party in the Killarney neighbourhood.
27-year-old Abdullahi Ahmed died in hospital.
Less than 24 hours later, 23-year-old Murat Omar was found dead in an alleyway in Rosedale after people reported hearing gun shots.
At this time police have not connected the two incidents.
The issue is a complex one. As many as 40 young Somali youth have been killed in the past nine years in Alberta and police say there are several factors that need to be addressed.
“It’s not just a crime issue, at all. Not even close. The issue relates to everything from housing education, jobs and building that relationship, starting with the police and the community,” Chief Hanson said.
A suspect has been taken in to custody in connection with the New Year’s Day shooting and is being held on unrelated charges.
“The family is still anxious and waiting for answers and we hope they will get answers sooner than later,” Hersy said.
Another meeting with Somali community is scheduled for Tuesday.
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