Police ask residents’ help to find killer
Homicide detectives are developing leads in their investigation into Saturday’s shooting of 40-year-old Jacob Thompson, while continuing to appeal to the community for help in solving the city’s 12th homicide of 2016.
Staff Sgt. Bruce Pirt was guarded in his comments on the open investigation Monday, saying only that police have identified a direction for the investigation “and we’re moving in that direction.”
He didn’t hold back, though, when expressing his frustration at the lack of co-operation from the community.
“It doesn’t take one person to solve a murder, it takes a whole community, so let’s get together, let’s work together, and let’s catch the bad guys and get them off the street,” said Pirt.
Major crime investigators said some potential witnesses have been “actively avoiding” police.
Friends and family were left reeling by the news of Thompson’s death.
Thompson was the stepson of local musical institution “Lucky” Ron Burke, who is married to Thompson’s mother, Kathleen Muise, a fellow musician.
Members of Thompson’s family could not be reached on Monday.
Police have revealed little about the shooting, saying only that Thompson was found suffering from a gunshot wound at his Elmira Drive home around 2 a.m. Saturday. He died later in hospital.
Residents of a neighbouring rowhouse, who declined to give their names, said they heard an altercation and raised voices just before shots were fired. One neighbour said he heard one shot, while another reported two shots fired.
Police fielded 911 calls from several neighbours Saturday.
Police tape and crime scene markers remained in place Monday, in the front and backyards of the unit in the 2100 block of Elmira Drive, a neighbourhood where police have been called to numerous drug calls, episodes of gun play and violence over the years. Thompson’s death was the city’s 47th shooting of the year, but that number now sits at 49.
Police remained on the scene Monday, and Pirt confirmed investigators are “still holding the house for forensic examination.”
Thompson’s grieving partner answered the door Monday, but was too distraught to speak to reporters, saying she was still in shock over his death.
Friends were equally shocked, and expressed their outrage on social media.
“I can understand losing a friend to a car accident or to natural causes even at our age, but to lose a friend to a shooting pisses me off,” wrote friend Darlanna Pope on Facebook.
“What happened to the days where you could have an altercation, get into a fight and everyone involved walks away?”
Friends said “trouble seemed to follow him,” but said he was trying to turn his life around in recent years. Police confirmed Thompson was known to them, but declined to elaborate.
Police continue to appeal for witnesses to step forward. Anyone with information is asked to call major crime investigators at 613-2361222, ext. 5493.