Wedding murder may have been gang initiation: source.

WINNIPEG – Police believe last weekend’s deadly shooting at a Winnipeg wedding reception might have been triggered by a street gang initiation, the Winnipeg Free Press is reporting.

Unnamed justice sources told the newspaper the gathering inside the city’s Club 13 was viewed on the streets as a Manitoba Warriors function and was likely targeted by a rival gang. The main theory is that a young "striker" looking to make a name for himself and climb the criminal ladder was recruited to send a violent message.

"The leader of (the rival gang) would say to the strike `go spray that,’ " a source said Friday. "Some of these kids are so indoctrinated and want to show they are solid and earn their rag that they would."

Gangs often use teens to carry out their dirty work because they know there’s a good chance they will only face prosecution under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which provides for much lighter penalties, the source said.

Cheryl Robert, 50, was killed last Saturday night after being struck in the head with a small-calibre bullet as she viewed auction prizes near the rear of the hall. Her boyfriend, Mike Halabiski, was shot in the shoulder and leg. Another woman who was nearby was also grazed by gunfire.

Police have not made any arrests and are continuing what is proving to be a difficult investigation.

"You have someone who arbitrarily fires into a crowd from outside and it’s dark out, so that will present some challenges to our investigators to obtain a description of a suspect, and again, to effect an arrest," Winnipeg police spokeswoman Const. Jacqueline Chaput said Friday. "We don’t know who the responsible party or parties are."

Robert was not involved in any gang activity and has been described by family members as an innocent victim who was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

She was at the wedding with her boyfriend, who knew the bride and the groom. The two had only recently started dating.

Several people at the wedding reportedly had strong ties to the Manitoba Warriors, including one of the groomsmen. The Warriors have been fighting for control of the city’s drug trade with two main rivals – the Indian Posse and the Native Syndicate.

The unidentified gunman opened fire through a rear door, which had been opened earlier in the evening. Several guests say the air conditioner stopped working and the wedding party wanted to allow for some fresh air.

More than 200 grieving family members and friends gathered Friday afternoon to pay their final respects to Robert. Her brother, Jim Stewart, wrote a touching eulogy in which he recalled how Robert saved him from drowning in West Hawk Lake during a childhood swim.

Her three children wiped away tears as they stood in front of the crowd to speak of their love and admiration for their slain mother.

with files from Gabrielle Giroday