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Edmonton homicide detectives are investigating five homicides in as many days, including two that were discovered within 20 minutes of each other early Sunday morning.
“It’s been a crazy weekend. The homicide unit’s been stretched to the limits. We’ve actually had to call in resources from other areas to help out,” said veteran homicide Staff Sgt. Bill Clark, after assessing one of Sunday’s killing scenes outside Tribute Lounge at 81 Avenue and 105 Street.
Belvedere suspicious death
Shortly after 2:20 a.m., a middle-aged man was found in critical condition near the Belvedere LRT Station parking lot at 129 Avenue and 58 Street.
The man was found “with signs of trauma” and later died in hospital. Investigators say they are looking for two female suspects.
Whyte Avenue shooting
Then at 2:40 a.m., shots rang out outside the Tribute Lounge on Whyte Avenue, killing one person and seriously injuring another.
A man in his 30s died in hospital while a second man sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries.
“We had a couple groups of individuals drinking in the bar here, the Tribute Lounge. There was some sort of an altercation outside the bar at closing time,” said Clark.
Investigators say they have one man in his 30s in custody.
Travelodge suspicious death
Also this weekend, a man in his 30s was found dead in a suite at the Travelodge Edmonton East. Investigators say the man was not alone in the hotel room and that one other person is being questioned.
“We’re getting some really good information and some good leads. It’s just a matter of time before we have some arrests,” said Clark, regarding the five deaths.
Double homicide
The weekend deaths follow a double homicide discovered Wednesday by a city real estate agent in a home in southwest Edmonton.
Ahmed Qureshi, 37, and Suzanne Marie Tran, 27, died of gunshot wounds.
Pending results from the autopsies, the three weekend deaths could bring the city’s homicide count to 11 for the year.
“We live in a big city and when we live in a big city things come along with that,” said Staff Sgt. Duane Hunter with the EPS homicide unit.
“It is concerning. I’m an Edmontonian myself. I know my colleagues we will work to do everything that we can to conclude these investigations as quickly as possible”
Agencies/Canadajournal
