Homicide victim the 14th this year
Witnesses sought in fatal stabbing on 95th street
A man found lying on a street with stab wounds to his chest in the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood has been named Edmonton’s 14th homicide victim of the year.
Shawn Richard, 32, was declared dead at the scene on 95th Street between 117th Avenue and 118th Avenue early Monday morning. Police were called to the scene around 3:30 a.m.
Staff Sgt. Bill Clark said Richard lived a few blocks away from the scene and that he was known to police and by people in the area.
“He’s been dealing drugs in this area. His unfortunate choice of lifestyle may have led to this,” Clark said.
He said the cause of the altercation that led to the stabbing is unknown.
Police are asking people they believe were witnesses to come forward. Particularly, Clark said they are looking for the driver of a new model black pickup and a group of four young adults who are believed to have been in the area and may have seen what happened.
“There are definitely other witnesses,” Clark said.
Clark said people in the neighbourhood have been helpful in the investigation so far.
Three blocks were cordoned off by police during the investigation Monday morning.
The man’s body was covered with a pink sheet and a couple of yellow evidence placards could be seen on the road and sidewalk.
The businesses nearby, including a beauty parlour, coffee house, insurance company, dance studio and autobody shop, were still shuttered for the night.
Nearby resident Mark Cappo said the area is “laidback,” but there are some rougher parts. The suspicious death is “pretty unnerving, but living in this area, you kind of expect the unexpected,” he said.
Heather Workman moved to the area in July, and soon after there was a neighbourhood block party. She said residents here know and look out for one another.
“When crime is in your area, it makes you want to protect it more,” she said.
“The spirit of the people here is far greater than what’s happening on the streets.”
But Chad Baba, another resident, said there is also prostitution and drug activity evident along 95th Street and 118th Avenue.
“The community is really good, it’s just a neighbourhood in transition. Any neighbourhood in transition is going to have its ups and downs,” he said. pparsons@edmontonjournal.com Twitter.com/paigeeparsons