Hamilton

Man wanted for murder in Hamilton billiards hall shooting has fled country: police

A man wanted for murder after a shooting outside a pool hall in Hamilton has fled the country for Ethiopia and police say it happened just 36 hours after the victim was shot dead.

Police say they hadn't identified the suspect when he boarded a plane

Investigators have identified 26-year-old Ibrahim Issak-Hussen as the suspect wanted for shooting and killing a man outside a pool hall in Hamilton. (Hamilton Police Service )

A man wanted for murder after a shooting outside a pool hall in Hamilton has fled the country for Ethiopia and police say it happened just 36 hours after the victim was shot dead.

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) notified Hamilton Police on Wednesday that 26-year-old Ibrahim Issak-Hussen boarded a flight from Toronto to Ethiopia on Sunday morning.

Police say 29-year-old Hamilton man Obsa Junedi-Mohamed was shot dead outside Boulevard Billiards following an argument early Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy confirmed he died of a gunshot wound.

Issak-Hussen was identified as a suspect by police on Sunday and they charged him with first degree murder. Police asked him to contact a lawyer and subsequently turn himself in, and they warned the public he should be considered "armed and dangerous."

At the time Issak-Hussen boarded the plane to Ethiopia, police say they did not yet know the identity of the suspect.

An international manhunt is underway to locate the suspect and police say they will attempt to return him to Ontario to stand trial.

Police seek two other individuals

A white, four-door sedan that police say was used as a "getaway" car was also seen fleeing the scene of the shooting. Police say the vehicle could have been a rental. 

Police identified the driver of the car, who turned himself into police before 1 p.m. on Sunday, but are seeking to locate a passenger.

The driver was arrested for first degree murder and accessory after the fact to murder. Officers say that the man "participated in a lengthy interview" and was "released unconditionally." 

Officers still want to speak to the passenger who left the scene in the sedan. 

Additionally, a friend of the victim who police say goes by the street name Koby, was present at the billiard hall when Junedi-Mohamed was killed. Police also want to identify and interview him.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call Detective Rich Wouters of the Major Crime Unit at 905-546-4921 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.