THUNDER BAY – NEWS – A fourth person has been charged with First Degree Murder in the death of Samatar Warsame.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged four individuals in connection with a Thunder Bay area homicide that claimed the life of a young Toronto area resident.
On January 12, 2019, police received information that a body was located on the shoulder of Highway 527 just north of the junction of Highways 11 and 17 in the Municipality of Shuniah.
An investigation was commenced by the OPP North West Region Crime Unit and OPP Forensic Identification Services under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).
Following a post mortem examination, the victim was identified as 21-year-old Samatar Warsame of Toronto.
After a 40-month investigation, four people have been charged in relation to this homicide. Police believe the four accused persons and the victim had a common interest.
Charged with First Degree Murder contrary to Section 235 (1) of the Criminal Code and Conspiracy to Commit Murder contrary to Section 465 (1) of the Criminal Code are 25-year-old Kaveh LOZOOMI-GARMROODI of the Greater Toronto Area, 29-year-old Hikomel Gary JOILES of Toronto, 43-year-old Stephan Richard PARR of Thunder Bay and 33-year-old Amy ROSE-PODNAR of Thunder Bay.
“Any investigation’s goal is to provide resolution to the victim’s family and friends and to ensure the safety of the communities we serve. The success of this investigation is tempered somewhat knowing Samatar’s family continues to live with this loss in their lives.” stated Detective Inspector Darryl SIGOUIN – Major Case Manager, OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.
The accused persons have been remanded in custody pending their next appearances at the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay.
What is First Degree Murder?
Classification of murder
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231 (1) Murder is first degree murder or second degree murder.
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Marginal note:Planned and deliberate murder
(2) Murder is first degree murder when it is planned and deliberate.
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Marginal note:Contracted murder
(3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2), murder is planned and deliberate when it is committed pursuant to an arrangement under which money or anything of value passes or is intended to pass from one person to another, or is promised by one person to another, as consideration for that other’s causing or assisting in causing the death of anyone or counselling another person to do any act causing or assisting in causing that death.
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Marginal note:Murder of peace officer, etc.
(4) Irrespective of whether a murder is planned and deliberate on the part of any person, murder is first degree murder when the victim is
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(a) a police officer, police constable, constable, sheriff, deputy sheriff, sheriff’s officer or other person employed for the preservation and maintenance of the public peace, acting in the course of his duties;
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(b) a warden, deputy warden, instructor, keeper, jailer, guard or other officer or a permanent employee of a prison, acting in the course of his duties; or
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(c) a person working in a prison with the permission of the prison authorities and acting in the course of his work therein.
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This investigation is ongoing. Police urge anyone with information to call the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122, their local police service or – to remain anonymous – call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at https://ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip.
