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Family identifies man killed in brazen northeast Calgary shooting

Click to play video: 'Man shot to death in Whitehorn'
Man shot to death in Whitehorn
WATCH: A man in his twenties has been killed in an overnight shooting in Calgary’s Whitehorn community. Doug Vaessen reports. Warning: Some of the video may be disturbing – Mar 1, 2016

CALGARY – The Calgary Police Service Homicide Unit is investigating a brazen early morning shooting in the community of Whitehorn on Tuesday that killed one man.

It happened in the 100 block of Whiteview Road N.E. at around 3 a.m.

Police said the victim was standing with a group of people when he was approached by a suspect who shot him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Family members identified the man as 26-year-old Boutros Khalfan. They said he was heading to a party, but never made it inside the home.

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Witnesses told Global News they heard at least three shots fired and a vehicle speeding away.

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“This has been happening a lot in this area and it’s pretty scary,” said one woman who wished to remain anonymous. “I heard the gunshots and I seen (sic) a vehicle, and that is all I can say because I don’t want any retaliation or anything for this area.”

“I did hear and I did see a vehicle, and that’s all I can say for now. I have to get down to the police station.”

Investigators used police tape to cordon off a large area surrounding the victim’s body, which was covered by a tarp in the middle of the road. The HAWC helicopter and canine unit were called in to help officers search for a suspect.

At one point, members of The City of Calgary’s Animal and Bylaw Services were escorted into the area corned off by police. They entered a home and left with two dogs, one which appeared to be a Rottweiler. It’s unknown what, if anything, the animals had to do with the investigation.

“At this time, the shooting does not appear to be random,” said police in a Tuesday news release.

An autopsy is expected to be completed on Wednesday.

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Police don’t have any suspects in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to call police or contact Crime Stoppers.

– With files from Doug Vaessen and Nancy Hixt

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