Investigations into the killing of Edmonton landlord Abdullah Shah have been hampered by obstruction, police say
The investigation into the murder of an Edmonton landlord, who was shot dead outside his home a year ago, has been hampered by attempts at obstruction, police say.
Abdullah Shah, who has been the subject of police investigations for years, was shot dead outside 374 Heath Rd in southwest Edmonton on the night of March 13, 2022. He died later in hospital.
During a news conference Monday – when the Edmonton Police Service released new surveillance video from the night of the murder – detectives called for increased cooperation in their investigation.
Det. Jared Buhler of the EPS Homicide Division said investigators encountered “varying levels of cooperation” and repeated attempts at obstruction. So far, no charges have been filed in the case.
“It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up”
“To those who have attempted to obstruct the investigation through destruction of evidence, deception or evasion: we recognize that your actions and misinformation have been identified and your motivation is of significant interest to the investigation,” he said.
“As I said, it’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up.”
Bühler urged anyone who withheld information about the case to come forward and said anyone who tipped off investigators would be offered a direct line and could remain anonymous.
“If you have already spoken to the inquiry and provided incomplete information, we understand these reasons can be complex and varied. We are willing to work with you to solve these problems.
“To others with information regarding his murder, we understand the sensitivity and risk associated with the information you may possess.”
Shah’s lawyer, Paul Moreau, said it was both problematic and discouraging to hear police blame a lack of cooperation from “unnamed parties” for the lack of progress in their investigation.
“It has been a full year and police seem no closer to locating a suspect or making an arrest than they were the day after Mr Shah’s death,” Moreau said in an interview Monday.
“This is a situation where a man is shot dead on a public street, literally in the driveway of his own home in suburban Edmonton.”
surveillance recordings
On Monday, investigators released surveillance video of the suspect vehicle in hopes it would provide new leads
The vehicle has now been identified as a dark gray Toyota Highlander, believed to be a 2015 model, police said.
Video released Monday shows the victim and suspect vehicles and their direction of travel on the night of the murder.
The clips show both Shah’s truck and the suspect vehicle driving west on Heath Road. A separate clip shows Shah’s truck pulling into his driveway, followed by the suspect vehicle seconds later.
Investigators suspect the killer was not “acting on her own behalf,” and multiple people could be responsible for the murder, Buehler said.
“After Shah pulled into his driveway, he was mugged and shot repeatedly,” Buehler said at the press conference.
“It was a well-organized and well-aimed goal.”
CLOCK | Raw: Police Release Murder Surveillance Video:
Investigators have said they believe the suspect vehicle’s occupant or occupants were watching Shah’s home before the shooting.
Shah then followed from Riverbend Road to Heath Road, Buhler said. The suspect vehicle was never found by police.
Police have no reports of a similar vehicle being stolen, or the license plate information for the vehicle seen on surveillance footage.
“If anyone remembers even the smallest thing…we’re interested,” Buehler said. “The smallest piece of information can be decisive.”
Shah, also known as Carmen Pervez, was a downtown landlord and once said he owned about 100 properties across the city.
He had a criminal record dating back to 1983, including drug and mortgage fraud convictions, and he was the subject of numerous EPS investigations.
He was shot in the head in August 2021 but recovered after a hospital stay.
Buhler said Shah has a complicated relationship with the police, but investigators remain determined to solve his murder.
“Shah was a complex individual who maintained an intricate network of business and personal connections,” he said.
“Mr. Shah was also a husband, father, brother, son and friend whose death was mourned by those who loved him.”
