Police seek driver who may have given ride to accused killer Talal Amer
Calgary police want to speak to the driver of a vehicle who may have given accused killer Talal Amer a ride after a shooting and subsequent car crash that claimed the life of a mother of five.
Amer, 29, is wanted on seven Canada-wide warrants, including manslaughter, attempted murder, and five weapons charges.
He is described as being 180 centimetres (5'11") tall and weighing 104 kilograms (230 pounds) with brown hair and brown eyes.
The known gangster has an extensive criminal history including ties to organized crime, an attempted murder conviction and convictions on charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offences.
Police started receiving reports of two vehicles speeding and being driven erratically down 36th Street S.E. and shots being fired just after 11 p.m. on May 10. Several houses were hit by gunfire, however no injuries were reported.
The vehicles, a red 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, which police later said was reported stolen, and a grey 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, collided with two other vehicles at 17th Avenue S.E. One of those was a minivan driven by Angela McKenzie, who was killed. McKenzie left behind five children.
The drivers of the Silverado and Jetta fled, however police were able to locate the Jetta driver nearby, suffering from gunshot wounds and he was taken to hospital.
A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Talal Amer in connection with a fatal crash in Calgary on May 10 that killed Angela McKenzie. Amer is also wanted in connection with gunfire that occurred shortly before the deadly crash. (CPS)
Police later released surveillance photos and video and identified Amer as a suspect. On Wednesday, investigators said they believe he may have been given a ride in a vehicle that was parked near 17th Avenue and 36th Street S.E., and that driver may not have known about the collision.
"We believe that a citizen may have acted as a Good Samaritan and provided Amer a ride without knowing about the tragedy that had just occurred," says Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson of the homicide unit.
"Based on the interaction with Amer, we don’t believe this individual was connected to the incident, however they may have important information that could help us locate Amer."
Investigators say they also believe some people are assisting Amer in continuing to evade capture.
"This is a tragic case and we are dedicated to locating him in order to bring justice for Angela’s family. Conversely, we will seek to hold all individuals accountable who may be helping Amer avoid being taken into custody," said Gregson.
"Individuals who are knowingly assisting Amer could be charged as an accessory to his crimes."
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Japan's ruling party loses all 3 seats in special vote, seen as punishment for corruption scandal
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing party, stung by an extensive slush funds scandal, appeared to have lost all three seats in Sunday's parliamentary byelections, according to media exit polls and preliminary results.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
BREAKING Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.