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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Gang links seen in slaying

Victim shot at restaurant had ties to underworld

By: Bill Redekop

Posted: 02/17/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

The shooting death of a known gang member in Johnny G's Restaurant and Bar on Main Street Friday morning has raised the spectre of a gangland slaying.

Police have identified the deceased as William Edward Moar, 24. Moar succumbed to injuries from a single gunshot wound, police said.

Police have released few details. However, information has leaked out from people who were in the bar at the time that a man dressed in black entered the bar shortly before 2 a.m.

Moar was said to be returning to his table from somewhere else, possibly from the washroom, when the man in black fired a shot.

The first shot missed and almost hit an employee behind the bar. Another shot struck Moar. Staff rushed to him and weren't sure where he'd been hit.

One of the staff removed his hat and it was obvious he'd been shot in the head.

Moar was known to police and known to have gang ties. In 2009, Moar and another man were charged with numerous weapons offences. At the time, Moar was found with a loaded Colt .45 calibre handgun, a .22 calibre rifle, two magazines, numerous rounds of ammunition, a pellet rifle, and two pellet handguns.

Police also found two leather vests with gang insignias and other assorted clothing with gang insignias.

Later the same year, Moar was charged with aggravated assault along with four other men for a vicious attack on a 19-year-old man. The victim sustained serious injuries to the upper body and still required medical care three months later.

Moar last appeared in court last summer and was let out on bail for unknown charges.

Police arrived at Johnny G's Restaurant, a late-night eatery on Main Street near Broadway, at about 2 a.m. Friday and found the shooting victim. Information led the police to the 500 block of Sherbrook Street, where a standoff ensued. The police tactical unit was on the scene.

Negotiations ensued between police and some residents in a rental house between Sargent and Ellice avenues.

Sherbrook was blocked off to motorists. As well, the police helicopter hovered over Sherbrook as young children -- many of them accompanied by their mothers -- made their way to nearby schools.

Heavily armed officers taking part in the standoff emerged from a Sherbrook Street apartment block about 9:30 a.m. with a man in handcuffs. By mid-morning, at least three more suspects had been taken into the back of police cruisers.

Police have not announced any arrests in the shooting.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 17, 2013 A3

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