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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Man shot dead for beer

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 02/21/2013 1:00 AM

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Allan Frank Crockford (HANDOUT PHOTO)

A case of beer appears to be the motive in the shooting death of a man a year ago.

Winnipeg police said they made an arrest this week in the April 6 killing of Allan Frank Crockford, 42.

Crockford and another person were walking just after midnight in the 600 block of Maryland Street when they were confronted by a man who allegedly demanded the beer the two had just bought at a local vendor.

WPS spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said police suspect Crockford and his friend walked away and ignored the man, who then allegedly pulled out a rifle and shot Crockford. He died from his injuries.

The suspect fled, stealing only the beer.

"It's a very, very unfortunate circumstance made only more mind-boggling that such a tragic event would be as a result of something as insignificant as a quantity of beer," Michalyshen said.

News coverage of the shooting attracted several tips over the following months, Michalyshen said, and one tip recently led to a suspect already in custody on other robbery charges.

Derek John Hall, 26, has been charged with second-degree murder, robbery with a firearm and numerous other firearm-related offences.