Police identify 19-year-old victim of fatal Kitchener shooting

Waterloo regional police say 19-year-old Yafiet Rezene of Kitchener was shot and killed during a party on Windale Crescent early Sunday morning. 

Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo confirmed Rezene was a first-year student at the school.

Police say an altercation broke out during the party and several shots were fired. Someone called police to report the gunfire, and when officers arrived on-scene they found Rezene dead.

"Two other males were treated for gunshot wounds," Waterloo Region Police Service Constable Ashley Dietrich said. 

One was taken to hospital by his friends and the other was taken to hospital by paramedics. Both have since been treated and released. 

Police say several people were detained at the scene and two were arrested, one for obstructing police the other for drug-related offences.

Officers are expected to remain in the area of Windale Crescent as they canvass the neighbourhood for information. Anyone with information is urged to contact police or CrimeStoppers.

Rezene's death marks the fifth homicide in the region so far this year. All homicides have involved firearms, according to Insp. Mark Crowell. 

The shooting came less than a week after Waterloo regional police received $8.5 million in provincial grant funding to combat local policing issues such as gang violence and human trafficking. 

Laurier says support will be provided for students and others who are directly impacted by Rezene's death. His death happened within days of the death of a second-year student. 

"The deaths were not connected but both are tragic. Losing a student at any time and under any circumstances has a significant impact on the entire Laurier community," the school said in a statement.