Police ID homicide victim found in bullet-riddled car on Thursday

Police say the man who was found dead in a vehicle on Centre St. N. and 12 Ave. early Thursday morning was the victim of a homicide.

Calgary police declared the death a homicide Friday after an autopsy was completed.

The victim has been identified as Hussam Ahmad Ismal, 31, of Calgary.

Police responded to a call at about 4:20 a.m. Thursday for a re- port of a man who appeared to be in medical distress in his stopped vehicle. When officers arrived, they found bullet holes in the car and the victim inside.

Staff Sgt. Asif Rashid said at a news conference Thursday there is nothing to indicate the shooting was a random incident.

Rashid said a gun was seized at the scene, although investigators were still working to determine if it was connected to the incident. Officers also searched a home in the 200 block of 10 Ave. N.E. Thursday morning.

Police are asking anyone who was in the area of Centre St. N. and 12 Ave. N.E. at the time and witnessed anything unusual to report it to police.

This is the third homicide in Calgary this year.