Homicide detectives are looking to speak with a man who was riding a bike in west Edmonton’s Callingwood area at the same time a young man was killed last week.
Ibrahim Zoker, 23, was shot and killed as he was walking on 64 Avenue near 172 Street on May 16. He was found, unconscious and unresponsive, in the field of Talmud Torah School shortly before 11 p.m.
Edmonton police investigators believe the man who was on the bicycle has information about the shooting and are asking him to contact police. Police are also asking the public for help finding the cyclist.
READ MORE: Police identify man shot to death in west Edmonton’s Callingwood area
The man was riding a full-sized bike, wearing a light-coloured top and may have been carrying a satchel or bag. He may also have been wearing a headlamp. He was seen last heading west on a path, just north of 64 Avenue, near the shooting scene.
“Zoker was known by a number of nicknames which include Thirty, Thirty Cent, Hundred, Prince, Romeo or Money and may not be recognized by his legal name,” Homicide detective Rob Bilawey said.
Police said Zoker was known to wear a distinctive gold coloured baseball hat wherever he went.
Zoker’s family came to Canada as refugees from war-torn Liberia in 2003, when he was still a young boy.
Denise Nelson — a family friend who considered herself his grandmother — said Zoker spoke broken English and struggled in school. She said cruel and relentless bullying sent him down the wrong path.
READ MORE: Edmonton homicide victim remembered by woman close to him
When he was 11, Zoker was separated from his family and shuffled from one group home to another, even living in hotels for a period, she said.
Nelson said Zoker found acceptance on the streets, and when he was 12 joined a gang. From then on, he repeatedly ended up in trouble with the law.
Zoker was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to 36 months in jail. He was also convicted of assault with a weapon causing bodily harm and sentenced to four months.
No arrests have been made in Zoker’s death. Homicide detectives continue to investigate.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
— With files from Sarah Kraus, Global News
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