Melake Selam Worku becomes Calgary’s first murder

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has completed an autopsy on a man shot to death on New Year’s Day.

Melake Selam WORKU, 27, of Calgary, has been identified as the city’s first homicide of 2011.

At approximately 1:05 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, the Calgary Police Service responded to reports of gunshots at the intersection of 3 Avenue and 3 Street S.W. WORKU was found in the middle of the street suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A second victim was found in a vehicle at 4 Street and 3 Avenue S.W. The man, in his early 30s, was also taken to hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. He is currently in stable condition.

Following a quick response to the scene by downtown members, police arrested two men after a foot chase. Police also recovered two handguns.

Investigators believe the second victim was unrelated to the people involved in the fatal shooting and was an innocent bystander who was unfortunately in the area. Godwin Mawutor BONNEY, 22, of Etobicoke, Ontario has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting of the second victim.

The suspect in the homicide is still being sought by police. He is described as a black man, 20 to 30 years old, 5’8” to 6’ tall, with an average build. He had cornrows in short dreadlocks, and was wearing a light-coloured shirt and dark pants.

Homicide investigators continue to seek public assistance and are asking anyone with information about these shootings to call Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods: