A man found dead in a residential garage in Ajax last week died from a gunshot wound, Durham police announced Monday.
Shabir Niazi, 22, was found dead in a garage in the Roosevelt Avenue and Kings Crescent area of Ajax last Wednesday afternoon.
Three males were seen running from the area at the time of the shooting, Durham Regional Police said in a press release Monday.
Niazi’s body was discovered when police responded to a call about the sound of gunshots last Wednesday at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Investigators were joined by members of the public order unit, a division responsible for searching for suspects and evidence. The team was present in the area for several days, checking parks and wooded areas nearby for evidence.
Niazi was a student at Durham College. On Monday morning, the college issued a statement on Niazi’s death on the social media site Twitter: “DC is greatly saddened by the death of Shabir Niazi, sending our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
The college lowered its flags on Monday in honour of the victim.
Police are looking to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of the homicide.
No arrests have been made, and they do not believe the shooting was random.
The homicide is the first in Durham Region this year.
Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Regional Police at 888-579-1520. The lead investigators are Det. Horrocks (ext. 5418) and Det. Leipsig (ext. 5319).
Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.