A reward of up to $50,000 is now available as police continue to search for a man wanted for murder in an Edmonton lounge shooting earlier this year.
The Edmonton Police Service has teamed up with the Bolo Program in hopes of locating 27-year-old Saed Osman. The Bolo Program leverages social media, technology and innovative engagement to encourage people to be on the lookout for Canada’s most wanted.
Osman is wanted on Canada-wide warrants in connection to the March 2022 shooting death of 28-year-old Imbert George.
At about 2:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, police responded to a shooting at Ertale Lounge, located in the area of 124 Street and 118 Avenue.
Two women and four men were taken to hospital with various injuries. A fifth man went to the hospital on his own, according to police.
George was killed in the incident.
Police said the investigation revealed the suspects fired about 70 rounds in a crowded area.
All seven victims were innocent bystanders who were randomly struck, the EPS said in a news release Tuesday morning.
“This could have easily been 10 or 15 people killed in this incident. It was that violent, brazen into a large crowd,” said Supt. Shane Perka with the EPS.
Two men have already been charged in the incident. Mohamod Mohamod, 22, and Said Ibrahim, 23, are each charged with first-degree murder, six counts of discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life and multiple other firearms offences.
Police say two other suspects remain unidentified.
Osman is wanted in the case for first-degree murder, six counts of discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life and other firearms offences.
Police said Osman is also known by the alias Guled Osman, and the nickname “Styles.”
Osman is from Ontario but has strong ties to Edmonton, according to police, who added he may still live in Alberta’s capital.
“To the relatives, friends and associates of Osman, I want to remind you that assisting him in evading arrest could make you an accessory after the fact. And in Canada, being an accessory after the fact to murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison,” Perka stressed.
“This message is for Mr. Osman. There’s nowhere to go and we will apprehend you sooner or later… Do the right thing. Call a lawyer and turn yourself in.”
“He needs to eat,” added Maxime Langlois, director of the Bolo Program. “He needs somewhere to sleep, somewhere to shower. He’s probably even working. He’s definitely not hiding in a closet 24/7 and is very likely to be receiving some sort of assistance.”
Osman was named as one of Canada’s Top 25 most wanted criminals this year. He sits at No. 5 on the list.
The $50,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of Osman is available until May 1, 2023.
“I want to be clear. The only condition for this reward to be paid is that your tip leads to the arrest of Mr. Osman. Period. There are no other conditions,” Langlois said. “If you have something to say, say it now.”
“We are not looking for witnesses or people to testify,” Perka said. “This case is ready to go before the courts. We are simply looking for the location of Mr. Osman so he can be apprehended and brought before the justice system.”
The Bolo Program has covered dozens of cases throughout Canada since 2018, all of which involved major crimes and dangerous fugitives, Langlois said.
“Yet, I don’t think I’ve seen a case with such outrageous circumstances. Multiple individuals allegedly opening fire into a crowd of people, firing some 70 rounds, injuring six people and killing one. This is nothing short of a mass shooting. This doesn’t belong here.”
Langlois said the Bolo Program has been used twice in Edmonton before, once for a first-degree murder case in which the suspect was apprehended. The other was for a human trafficking case in which the suspect remains at large.
Police said Osman may be armed and is considered dangerous. He should not be approached.
Anyone with information on Osman’s whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
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