Homicide investigators, along with the family of a young man murdered in February 2012, are asking for help with the ongoing investigation – a year after the young man was killed.

The plea comes on the first anniversary of Welid Sahle Meskel’s death.

On Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at about 4:45 a.m., police and emergency crews were called to the area of 134 Avenue and 101 Street, in north Edmonton after a resident reported an injured man was lying in an alley.

Crews found the man, who was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Feb. 21, the Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy, confirming the man died as a result of a gunshot wound, and identifying the deceased as 22-year-old Meskel.

A year later, his family stood beside investigators in renewing the call for information on the city’s first homicide of 2012.

“We love and miss Welid very much,” The family said in a statement. “We plead with anyone with information to please contact the Edmonton Police Service.”

“Somebody out there knows what happened to this young man the night of the shooting,” Staff Sgt. David Christoffel with the EPS Homicide Section said in a press release. “Somebody knows what he was doing, where he was, who he was with, or heard about it from someone else.

“It’s a year later, and somebody may want to clear their conscience and help us solve this murder.”

Police said Tuesday that Meskel was last seen at a family function, and was going to meet up with friends later that evening.

Christoffel said the investigation has continued in the year since Meskel’s death, and investigators maintain the shooting wasn’t random.

“Regardless of the circumstances, it’s concerning to police that this young man was shot in a residential area, and that whoever was responsible is still out there,” Christoffel said. “We must never lose sight that this isn’t just about solving a homicide that occurred in the past, it’s about bringing a criminal to justice now, and preventing further violence in the future.”

Police said investigators have solved 18 of last year’s 29 homicides to date.

Anyone with information on the slaying of Welid Meskel is asked to call the Edmonton Police Service non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or by calling #377 on a mobile phone.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).