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No suspects in homicide

Red Deer City RCMP say they have no suspects in Central Alberta’s third murder this year.
A01-Local-Salazar-Mug
Oscar Salazar

Red Deer City RCMP say they have no suspects in Central Alberta’s third murder this year.

On Thursday, the Calgary Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed 22-year-old Oscar Salazar died from injuries related to a gunshot wound.

Const. Chris Kosack said investigators are treating the death as a homicide and there are no suspects at this time.

Salazar had outstanding charges of assault and uttering threats, and a breach of condition at the time of his death.

The 22-year-old was found shot in a silver-coloured BMW sport utility vehicle Tuesday evening in the back alley off 63rd Street in the Highland Green neighbourhood. A 17-year-old man was also wounded and taken to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, but was later released.

Kosack said the 17-year-old is co-operating with investigators but did not elaborate.

Members of the Red Deer City RCMP general investigations section are investigating the homicide with help from the major crimes unit and the forensic identification section. A technical crimes section has been brought in from Calgary to look at cellphones and other technology. The investigators are looking at the victim’s cellphone.

“There’s a lot of information coming in,” said Kosack. “It is just a matter of us checking it out. We are following up on all information.”

Meanwhile family members continue to mourn at Salazar’s home which he shared with his grandfather in Red Deer. His aunt Dora Cordoba said the family is in a lot of pain.

“This is a very bad day,” she said. “It’s unbeliveable. It’s a very bad day. I don’t know what to say.”

Visitation is Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on 6 McMillan Drive in Red Deer. A funeral mass will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 3 p.m. Condolences can be sent to the family through www.eventidefuneralchapels.com.

Red Deer RCMP are seeking the public’s help for information at 403-343-5575 or www.tipsubmit.com or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com