Brother of Ottawa's 3rd homicide victim disputes gang ties
The family of the young man who died after he was shot multiple times Sunday says he was not a gang member, though police described the victim as someone known to associate with gang members.
Sharif Said, 21, was found by a passerby in the area of Tremblay and Belfast roads on Sunday around 6 a.m.
Police were called and found the victim had multiple gunshot wounds. Said later died in hospital.
Major crimes investigators said they believe he was shot due to gang and drug-related activity. Investigators also said he was shot inside his vehicle before collapsing on the street.
His younger brother Said Said, 19, said Sharif was not a gang member and said his brother was a smart, warm man who was the backbone of their family.
'He really was my father figure,' brother says
Sharif was the eldest of six children, and Said described his brother as a role model for his four younger brothers and sister.
"I still can't believe he's actually gone," he said. "He really was my father figure I looked up to him that much."
"If he was a gang member would he be living inside his parents house, affecting the kids? No, he was not a gang member," he said.
Over the last three years, Sharif Said had several run-ins with the law.
He plead guilty to obstruction of a peace officer, driving under the influence and a breach of probation in a January 2014 incident.
He also had a previous conviction in March 2012 for assault and conspiracy charges. He was also fined in 2013 under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.
Neighbours heard shots
Antonio Bandiziol, whose home is near the intersection, said he heard what sounded like six shots at about 5:50 a.m. Sunday and at first thought it was dynamite related to underground construction.
"Bang bang bang, one after another," he said.
Bandiziol, who has lived in the neighbourhood since 1965, said he's never known the neighbourhood to have gang activity and said he wasn't overly concerned.
Multiple shell casings were found close to the victim, police said. Investigators collected the casings and examined other parts of the scene on Sunday.
Officers were also investigating a second scene nearby on Terminal Avenue where a silver truck with an Alberta licence plate crashed into a building, but they later determined it was unrelated to the shooting.
Police are asking anyone with information about the investigation to contact the major crime unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5493 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
