Police barricades and crime tape have surrounded the scene of a suspicious death on the city’s north side, after officers were called to the area early Friday morning.
Officers were called to the area of 164 Avenue and 87 Street, just before 3:30 a.m., on reports of a man in distress and shots fired.
“There were several calls that came into police with respect to the male in distress at that time, as well as shots fired,” Scott Pattison, an EPS spokesperson said. “How many shots were fired I can’t confirm at this time.”
When they arrived, police found the body of a man in his 30s on the front steps of a home in the area – investigators later said it’s believed the victim died as a result of gunshot wounds.
“The neighbours in the area have been extremely cooperative,” Staff Sgt. Bill Clark said in a press release. “Currently, however, we have not identified suspects, so we would encourage anyone else who might have seen or heard something in the early hours this morning to contact police.”
Homicide detectives were called in, and several blocks in the neighbourhood were protected by police barricades.
The blocked off areas were also close to Florence Hallock School – so students and parents were escorted around the scene by school staff and police.
“All the time, it’s ‘Does it affect any of our students or our families?’ That’s probably the biggest thing and then what is it that we can do to mitigate the crisis and make sure kids know again that they’re safe,” Principal Dean Michailides said.
Classes went ahead as scheduled Friday, police said the barricades would be removed by Friday evening.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday afternoon.
With files from Ashley Molnar
