Murder suspect sought

By Lethbridge Herald on February 11, 2020.

Lethbridge Police Photo handout - Mohamud Omar Dhiblawe

Tim Kalinowski
Lethbridge Herald
tkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com
The Lethbridge Police Service is confirming a man wanted for Lethbridge’s first homicide in two years is also wanted for a second murder in Edmonton two days later.
Mohamud Omar Dhiblawe, 29, of Toronto, is charged with one count of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a 35-year-old man in west Lethbridge last Thursday night. Dhiblawe has also been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a homicide in Edmonton on Saturday. Both the LPS and the Edmonton Police Service have issued Canada-wide warrants for the arrest of Dhiblawe.
Insp. Jason Walper of the LPS Criminal Investigation Division said Dhiblawe is considered armed and dangerous.
“We ask the public not to engage Mr. Dhiblawe if they observe him in any matter, and to contact local police,” Walper stated.
Walper said the homicide in Lethbridge is believed to have occurred as a result of a verbal dispute between the suspect and victim related to the illicit drug trade. Dhiblawe did have connections to Lethbridge, Walper confirmed.
“We have been sharing a lot of information with the Edmonton Police Service, and our investigation and theirs is continuing,” he said. “I don’t know how long he has been in Lethbridge or in Alberta. Certainly, he does have connections here, and has been here. And we do have occurrences involving our officers here and throughout Alberta.”
Walper said it is not often local police deal with this type of offender, one accused of multiple homicides, in Lethbridge.
“It certainly increases the risk for our officers when they are dealing with individuals in the street, and certainly in this case, we have not recovered a weapon. There is a weapon outstanding, and it may still be in his possession.”
Last Thursday, just after 10:30 p.m. police responded to a report of a shooting at a residence along the 200 block of University Drive West. Upon arrival, officers located the body of a 35-year-old male inside the home. The man’s body was transported to the Calgary Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy confirmed the manner of death to be homicide. The LPS confirms the identity of the victim will not be released.
According to the Edmonton Police Service, Dhiblawe is also responsible for the murder of a 32-year-old male in Edmonton at an apartment on McConachie Boulevard. On Saturday at approximately 11 p.m. police responded to a weapon complaint at the apartment complex. Upon arrival, patrol officers discovered the male victim inside.
Investigation into the matter is still ongoing. Any members of the public who may have information that may further assist investigators are asked to contact Lethbridge Police at 403-328-4444 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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