The father of a man shot to death in a busy Superstore parking lot over the May long weekend is pleading with the public to help police solve his son’s homicide, saying he was innocent.
Anees Amr, 26, and Colin Reitberger, 23, were shot in the parking lot, located on 130 Avenue S.E., at around 7:55 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. Police said both men were dead by the time they arrived.
Speaking during a Wednesday news conference, Ismail Amr said his son Anees was just six days short of his 27th birthday when he was killed.
“He was my second son. He was the apple of my eye, the love of my life,” Ismail said. “From the moment that he opened his eyes I knew he was special. Anees was kind, caring, loving and supportive to his friends and family. Anees was known for his amazing sense of humour and his charismatic personality.”
WATCH: Ismail Amr, father of Anees Ismail Amr, issues a statement after police released more information in Amr’s shooting death.
“My heart is broken,” he said choking back tears. “Life will never be the same.
“When I miss my son, the closest I can get to him is visiting his grave in Cochrane.”
Police believe Reitberger and Amr had arrived at the parking lot together before being shot by a third man who arrived in a separate vehicle.
Christian Joffre Ouellette, 20, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the brazen attack.
During a June police news conference, Insp. Don Coleman said the shooting was believed to be drug-related. He said police believed Ouellette was known to the victims, and that the relationship between him and the victims was in a “criminal network association-type manner.”
On Wednesday though, police said it’s believed Amr was not an intended target in the deadly shooting, and investigators don’t believe he was involved in any criminal activity at the time.
Though he couldn’t comment directly about whether or not police still believe the conflict was drug-related as it’s now before the courts, Acting Insp. Paul Wozney did say theories police have on how criminal events unfolded can change as investigations continue.
“Oftentimes we talk to people, we get a certain version or perception of an incident or event, and then as we are able to produce more CCTV video, talk to more witnesses … sometimes investigative theories change.”
“Anees was innocent,” Ismail said. “He had no reason to be shot and killed in public.”
“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and he has no ties to any drug groups in the city.”
Wozney said Reitberger and Amr were friends, and the shooting that erupted in that parking lot was “based on an issue or a situation between Reitberger and the accused.”
WATCH: Insp. Paul Wozney explains why police are releasing information on a double homicide that happened in May.
Although the vehicle believed to be used in the shooting was recovered shortly after, police said they are searching for a second vehicle that was used to drop the accused off at a gas station, located at 70 Freeport Blvd N.E., after the murders.
Police are also looking to identify and speak with the driver of the vehicle, which is described as a red Dodge Durango SLT, likely a 2004 to 2006 model, with a sunroof.
Investigators believe Ouellette took a taxi from the gas station to Nose Hill Park, where his vehicle was parked. While at the park, police think Ouellette had a conversation with a man with a goatee driving a yellow Ford Escape. Detectives are looking to speak with this man and are asking for the public’s help in identifying him and his vehicle.
On Wednesday, Ismail urged anyone who may have information on the shooting but hadn’t yet spoken to police to come forward.
“I need justice for my son and for our family.”
“Please do not let those who murdered him or participated in his murder walk the streets freely.”
Anyone with information about either of the two drivers or their vehicles is asked to call Calgary police at 403-266-1234 or the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers.
Investigators were previously looking to speak with another man in relation to the investigation, William Kincade-Miller, but said on Wednesday they have since spoken with him and are no longer looking to locate him.