Increased security measures were implemented at a set of apartment building in Little Italy after police announced a fatal shooting there on Jan. 29 will be investigated as a homicide.

 

At approximately 1:15 p.m. that day, Ottawa police responded to a call about a shooting at Envie Little Italy, two apartment buildings at Champagne Avenue South, a short distance from the Preston Street strip of restaurants and stores in the heart of Litlle Italy.

 

An email was sent later in the afternoon, to inform Envie residents of the police search of the entire building to ensure there were no other safety concerns.

 

Over the weekend, Envie sent out another email informing tenants that tightened security measures, including changes in accessing the building and visitors admission, would be effective immediately. 

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Building management told residents: “The suspects gained access to the building through cooperation and authorization from a tenant by using the key fob.”

 

An email sent to tenants specified “the suspect was heading towards a specific unit,” and confirmed “there is no threat to the building itself.”

 

The email said tenants must not give their key fob to outsiders of the building and visitors must be reported to the front desk for accountability when an emergency arises.

 

“All tenants will now need to enter the buildings through the front doors,” the email said. “Your fobs no longer have access to any perimeter doors.” 

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The building will continue to be under surveillance 24/7 using high-definition cameras and professional security monitors between 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

 

Visitors of the tenants are now required to fill out a sign-in and sign-out form to enter the building. 

 

Lorna Wegoye, a second-year university student, who lives at Envie, says she was home when the shooting occurred and was shaken when she read the email.

 

“It’s heartbreaking for what happened to the person who got shot,” said Wegoye. “I’m glad that Envie is taking immediate action and continuing to give the tenants updates on the shooting.”

 

Wegoye added: “The sign-in and sign-out are inconvenient for my friends if they want to come to hang out at my place. But it’s what is needed to enhance our safety.”

 

The victim, Jama Roble, 33, died of his injuries in the hospital two weeks after the shooting occurred.

 

One man has been charged with accessory to murder, and an Edmonton man wanted for first-degree murder remains at large.

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The wanted male is identified as Gibriil Bakal, 29 years old, of Edmonton, for the first-degree murder of Jama Roble, 33 years old, at Champagne Ave S.

 

Police have asked anyone with information, cell phone footage, or any other video of the Jan. 29 incident to contact the Central Criminal Investigations Unit or the Guns and Gangs Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5166 or 5050.

 

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.