'Brazen' shooting that killed 23-year-old on Boxing Day prompts police appeal for help

Police have confirmed that afatal shooting in Calgary's northwest late Thursday night killed 23-year-old Ontario man Farah Hersi Handule, and described theattack as "brazen" in a press release issued Friday afternoon.

Handulewas believed to have been in Calgary sinceDec. 24, the release said.

Authorities are also saying that whilethe attack was "targeted," it could have easily been dangerous for nearby residents, andare now asking the public for assistance.

"This is a targeted homicide carried out in a brazen way that leaves us very concerned for public safety. This easily could have resulted in a tragic outcome for innocent citizens who were in the area," said CPS Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm.

"We are hoping that information from the public will lead us to determining who is responsible for this."

Shortly before 9 p.m. on Boxing Day, police were called after shots were fired near 16th Avenue and Home Road N.W. in the Montgomery neighbourhood, police said in a release.

When officers arrived they found a man dead at the scene.

Roads in the area were closed until the early hours of Friday morning.

Kim McKenzie, who lives nearby, says she was driving home when she came upon the crime scene blocked off by police.

"That's seriously disturbing, because, you know, I will sometimes walk out of my house and leave my door open. Like, I feel that secure in this neighbourhood. So, it's really, really shocking," she said.

An autopsy was scheduled for Friday and police have obtained surveillance footage from several local businesses to see ifcameras captured any details witnesses may have missed.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting and "specificallypeople runningor getting into vehicles between 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m" in the areato call the non-emergency number at 403-266-1234.