37-year-old man dead after shooting at south Edmonton community hall

Residents of Royal Gardens in south Edmonton woke up Sunday morning to police tape around a community hall and parking lot.

At least four police vehicles were on scene at Royal Gardens Community Hall at 117 Street and 40 Avenue.

A homicide detective told Global News one person was killed in a shooting at an event at the hall, but didn’t know if the person shot was a guest.

Officers were called to the hall at about 3:30 a.m. for a weapons complaint.

Police later confirmed a 37-year-old man was injured outside the community league hall and taken by friends to the hospital, where he later died.

EPS identified him Tuesday as Dany Mudingila Mutombo.

Shortly after 9 a.m., three detectives were also inspecting the grounds around the hall. Several yellow evidence markers were also seen on the ground, including near the playground.

Earlier in the morning, police had also blocked off 41 Avenue.

The hall was rented out Saturday night for a 30th wedding anniversary celebration, the Royal Gardens Community League said. This renter had not used the facility before and does not live in Royal Gardens. The rental ended at 12:30 a.m. and it’s unclear at this point when the shooting happened.

The community league president was devastated to hear about the fatal shooting.

“That’s awful,” Nadir Bellahmer told Global News. “For something like this to happen is horrible and devastating for our community.

“We work really hard to include everyone in our community so this is really shocking,” Bellahmer said. “To have someone die? I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. I’m really devastated this happened.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We work really hard to include everyone in our community so this is really shocking," Bellahmer said. "To have someone die? I can't believe it. I can't believe it. I'm really devastated this happened."

“We have a safe community. This is a great community. I don’t know what else to say.

“My first concern is for the person shot. That’s awful. And the community residents — to feel unsafe in our community, that’s a huge thing. That’s why I do this — so that we have a safe community where people know each other, where people engage their community.”

Bellahmer said the renter texted him Sunday morning to say they weren’t able to finish cleaning up because police showed up. The renter didn’t seem to know what had happened in the parking lot, he said.

Detectives said the scene was outside the hall in the parking lot and playground.

Control of the hall will be handed back over to the community league later Sunday.

An autopsy conducted Tuesday morning confirmed the 37-year-old man died from gunshot wounds.

The Homicide Section is investigating the suspicious death and is asking anyone with information to contact EPS at 780-423-4567.

“We don’t have a lot of leads on this one and we’re really looking for people to come forward with any information,” EPS spokesman Scott Pattison said. “Anyone that may have been attending that function at the community hall that evening… may have known someone that was attending that function, may have known the deceased… or was in the area at the time.”