red light lounge triple murder › deadmonton 2006 › deadmonton › edmonton

Jacey Sydney Pinnock, 27, Thomas Tipo Orak, 18, and Dave Persaud, 21, were shot to death October 29th, 2006.

The killings were Edmonton's first-ever triple homicde.

Dwayne Anthony Nelson, 22, was charged with three counts of second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

Latest update

Ongoing developments
October 30th, 2006 - police discount gang connection; CBC predicts record-setting year
October 31st, 2006 - Edmonton Sun reports shooting as accidental; witnesses fear retaliation
November 1st, 2006 - autopsy report reveals name of third victim
November 2nd, 2006 - police announce charges laid
November 3rd, 2006 - accused makes first court appearance

On Sunday, October 29th, 2006 Edmontonians woke up to the first major snowfall of the season, a change back to Mountain Standard Time and news of a triple nightclub murder – homicides 30, 31 and 32 of the year.

The early-morning shooting at a downtown nightclub left three men dead and one with serious injuries in hospital.

Two men died inside the club while a third died shortly after being taken to hospital.

Police were dispatched at about 2:30 a.m. when a report of multiple shots fired had come in from numerous cellphones calling from inside the Red Light Lounge at 10018 105 Street – a half-block south of Jasper Avenue.

“Our officers responded immediately to that address where we found two adult males already deceased,” a police spokesman said.

Three other people suffered minor wounds and were treated in hospital but one other male, believed to be the club's bouncer, was listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

While police made no immediate arrests, investigators had the “utmost confidence” that some “pretty good leads” would be developing soon.

“We have in excess of 20 witnesses who are being interviewed by our gang and homicide detectives.”

"We anticipate to get some pretty good information from them.”

"Because our gang unit is involved it is possible the victims did know the suspects.”

"We're hoping that with a little bit of interviewing and some detective work here we can get to the bottom of what happened here," the spokesman added.

After processing the scene homicide investigators released custody of the bodies to the medical examiner's office at about 3:00 p.m.

Police sealed off the street during the day as a mobile command centre was set up.

Patrons of the First Presbyterian Church immediately across the street from the club were greeted with police tape and forensic technicians as they made their way to morning service.

“We’ve seen kickings and fights here all the time, so it’s nothing new... we weren’t surprised at the police tape,” one unidentified woman told the Edmonton Sun.

Several church members were interviewed by CBC Radio who said they often saw club-goers pouring out of the lounge just as church doors open.

Speaking to media, Anne Switzer (pictured) commented on what happened to the club after it ceased operating as a non-alcohol after-hours venue.

"Once it's become this lounge we see kids coming out of there at unbelievable hours of the morning."

"I just can't believe our city's become that way."

Members of the church said they would include the victims in their prayers.

A local business tenant told the Last Link that on mornings after rave parties are held in the building there are often signs of urination, vomit and fresh graffiti on surrounding property.

The man said the troubled building has housed a number of different clubs in the past and is owned by an out-of-town property investor.

CTV Edmonton said a source told them the shootings were related to a turf war between a white gang operating out of north Edmonton and a group of people in the Somali community.

One eyewitness to the shootings spoke to the media after he was released from police questioning.

Yegor Maizlin was standing beside one of the men who was shot.

"Somebody walked into the bar and started rinsing," Maizlin said while demonstrating a spraying motion.

"Walked in the front door and ... trigger happy."

Maizlin also described the other witnesses at police headquarters.

"They were all black except for one person who were let out in the end. I would say Jamaican or Somalians."

The Globe and Mail carried a story that reported what a friend of Yegor Maizlin told him after he was questioned by police.

Maizlin said his friend was told the shooting was gang-related.

"It was a thing between the black guys and a couple guys from the north side, white guys," he said. "A guy walked in and started banging."

The Edmonton Sun spoke to club manager Solireth Suarez.

Suarez said about 150 people were in the lounge when a fight broke out around 2:00 a.m. involving five or six people who began punching each other.

The fight soon broke up but two minutes later shots were heard.

“I just went down, I ducked,” said Suarez. “People were screaming.”

At first she thought the shots had been fired into the air. She then saw four men lying on the floor. Mayhem ensued.

"There was blood all over the floor."

“People [were] trying to get away, people running from the back door, from the front door, people screaming,” she said.

With many outfitted for Hallowe'en, several party-goers ripped off items of clothing to apply pressure on victims' wounds in a futile attempt to staunch bleeding.

Suarez said she recognised all three of the shot patrons but didn't know their names.

Bolis Wol, an eyewitness and a friend of one of the victims, said some of the people involved in the fight were kicked out of the club.

At least one of them came back inside and opened fire, he told the Edmonton Journal.

The Globe and Mail report also quoted Tyler Shannon, a bartender at the Red Light Lounge.

Tyler said many of the club's clients also frequented the Gingur Sky Lounge where Varnado Stobbs was murdered October 6th, 2006.

By the end of the first day of the investigation, police said they had good leads but no suspects or motive.

"At this point we have no suspect in custody but we are hopeful that might change," said a police spokesman, adding he couldn't say whether the victims were known to police.

"There's certainly a strong possibility that there are gang ties to this incident."

630 CHED Radio quoted a source who said witnesses interviewed by police were not cooperative, citing the fear of gang retaliation.

Police Chief Mike Boyd issued a public statement on the morning of the shooting that was not widely reported by media covering the triple shooting.

Boyd was in Jasper attending an Alberta Police Chief Association meeting when the murders occured. His statement can be read here in its entirety.

Mayor Stephen Mandel, who was in Yellowknife on business at the time of the shooting, issued a statement on the evening of October 29th.

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October 30th, 2006

Speaking to the press acting deputy police chief Mike Bradshaw shed new light on previous reports.

"The early indications are that this may not be gang-related," Bradshaw said.

"This to me is a random, senseless act of violence. Unfortunately this is something we see all too often in this city."

However, Bradshaw could not say whether the victims were members of gangs and said a gang connection had not been completely ruled out.

Gang unit detectives continued to be involved in the investigation.

Bradshaw would not say how many people shot into the crowd, how many weapons were used or if any weapons were recovered. He appealed for witnesses to come forward.

"We do know this was a very large scene with a large number of people." he said. "Somebody needs to be a real hero and say enough is enough."

"There's a number of people whom we've identified and I know there's a number of people who have talked to the media already."

"And I would urge not only those people who have seen something – but even those people in the media who are talking to people – to encourage them to contact the police service."

The deputy chief called on families to observe if their relatives are carrying weapons, and to look for signs of high-risk behaviour.

"I would say this a random act and it's something that we have an opportunity to actually start to prevent."

"Somebody needs to step up to the plate."

Autopsy results were originally scheduled to be released later in the day and victim identities would likely have been made public at that time.

However, the medical examiner's report was delayed until October 31st, and then until November 1st.

News of Edmonton's triple slaying spread across the country.

On October 30th, CBC's National newscast featured a story that suggested the city's 2006 murder rate would top the nation – again.

The broadcast featured a Statistics Canada report first released on July 20th, 2006 that proclaimed Edmonton was the murder capital of Canada.

The CBC report contrasted Edmonton figures with Toronto and Vancouver, and predicted the Alberta capital would set a new record in 2006.

CBC based the forecast on studies made by University of Alberta criminologist Bill Pitt.

"We are tracking the largest criminogenic group in the world – 18- to 34-year-old men that are coming into this city," Pitt said.

"We are awash in narcotics, we are awash in weapons. And it was just a matter of a perfect storm putting all these variables together."

The CBC reported that Edmonton attracts a thousand people a month, bringing big city problems with them.

The report concluded the root cause of Edmonton's high murder rate was because "various criminal elements were still battling each other to call 'this' their turf."

Edmonton had recorded 31 homicides at this time last year. The triple slaying brought the 2006 total to 32.

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October 31st, 2006

The Edmonton Sun reported it was contacted by a "member of the black church community" who said two innocent people were killed at the Red Light Lounge.

In a story reported by Max Maudie the source said, "This guy went out of control because he wanted to show everyone he was bad ... and if you mess with us, or our friends, this is what's going to happen."

The Sun was informed that Jacey Pinnock was accidentally shot by a friend and had a past "tainted with gang violence."

Pinnock was accidentally killed by a gang-affiliated friend, the Sun's source said, after Pinnock got into an argument with someone at the Red Light Lounge.

Friends of Pinnock had gone outside the club to quell the dispute, but the gunman just went out of control and shot Jacey by accident, according to the Sun's source.

"It's a certain group of individuals that live that [gang] lifestyle that are packing weapons," the source said suggesting the shooting was just bravado gone too far.

The source said some witnesses at the Red Light Lounge wanted to identify the triple-murder shooter, but feared being targeted for revenge attacks if they did.

The person who spoke to the Sun suggested the implementation of a local witness protection program.

A police source close to the investigation spoke to the accuracy of newspaper source's story: "I can't say that for 100%. And until such time as we actually talk to the person responsible for this, [we won't] be able to confirm anything of that nature."

630 CHED Radio reported police fear similar violence will take place in the future as gang members who feel slighted are expected to take revenge or lose face.

The station said members of the police gang won't let their kids go to bars as the threat of retaliatory violence is said to be so imminent.

Pinnock's father said police asked Red Light witnesses if they thought Jacey would have retaliated for the Stobbs shooting and if they thought someone had decided to "take care" of him before that could happen.

DJ Gamegirl, the club's spinner that night, told CBC News the shooting occurred as people were heading to the club's coatcheck. She said she resented reports the shooting was gang-related.

"He didn't know who he was shooting at, he was just shooting at anybody," she said.

The Sun later published a companion story that recorded the concern of a woman who was a Red Light Lounge regular and a witness to the shootings.

“He’s out there watching – he can be gone out of the city and because it’s gang related, there’s others watching.”

The woman told the paper she’s afraid to tell police what she saw because there’s no assurance her life will be protected.

“Do I have to leave the city? I can’t sleep. I’m scared. What’s going to happen to me?”

A police spokesman said they can’t do anything to help if witnesses don’t come forward.

“We’re not in the business of hanging anyone out to dry, we’re going to do everything we can to protect witnesses.”

The spokesman urged the woman to call investigators.

Meanwhile, club patrons are bracing for retaliatory killings.

“If you kill people there will be more blood; if you get away with something, there will be more,” said the woman.

“The more people can get away with this, the more it’s going to happen,” said the police spokesman.

The woman also told the Sun lives could have been saved had staff dealt sooner with a fight on the dance floor that triggered the bloodshed.

“There was a big fight and the music was still going. They stopped the fight four or five times,” said the woman, adding the altercation saw someone being smashed over the head with a bottle.

She said all of the victims were innocent men caught in the spray of bullets.

“They were just trying to get away.”

A 630 CHED Radio news poll asked Edmontonians "Do you feel safe going to city clubs at night?"

75.39% said "Not anymore - these shootings are very scary." 17.78% said "Yes - I'm very careful about where I go and when" while 6.82% said "I'll still go, but I'm more nervous than before."

There was no indication of how many voted on the one-day voluntary poll which allowed only one response per computer.

An Edmonton Sun news poll asked Edmontonians "Are Edmonton bars and clubs becoming too dangerous for you?"

88% said Yes while 12% said No.

1458 voted on the one-day voluntary poll which allowed only one response per computer.

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November 1st, 2006

The Medical Examiner's office released autopsy results that had been expected two days earlier. There was no reason given for the delay.

The office found Thomas Tipo Orak died of a gunshot wound to the head, and that Jacey Sydney Pinnock died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

The office also released the identity of the third victim.

21-year-old Dave Persaud of Toronto also died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

Not indicated in published reports was which of the men died in the club or on the way to hospital.

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November 2nd, 2006

Police announced charges were laid against an Edmonton man in connection with the shooting at the Red Light Lounge.

Dwayne Anthony Nelson, 22, faced three counts of second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

Police said no further suspects were being sought but the investigation was still on-going.

Investigators were still appealing for additional witnesses and did not rule out the laying of additional charges.

A spokesman for the police service said Nelson was not known to them and couldn't comment on whether he had a link to the victims.

A gang connection wasn’t entirely dismissed, he said.

“Nothing’s been ruled out. The investigation is ongoing. We’re not prepared to comment at this time – at least not publicly – on what affiliations the suspect might have as this is now before the courts.”

Nelson was remanded in custody awaiting his frst appearance in provincial court on Friday, November 3rd.

Police said they had a fair picture of what happened at the club based on interviews with more than 20 people.

“It was certainly a time-consuming nature of the investigation having to go through more than 20 witnesses.”

Nelson was arrested without incident on Wednesday, November 1st but no furthers details were given.

November 3rd, 2006

Dwayne Anthony Nelson made a brief appearance in an Edmonton court room.

Nelson reserved his plea and was scheduled to be back in court December 1st, 2006. He was to remain in custody until then.

Outside court, Dwayne's father Oswald Nelson spoke to media.

"I just want to extend my sympathies to the families of the victims," he said on the courthouse steps.

"The Nelson family is grieving for the victims," he said. "I shed a tear just as much."

The Edmonton Journal quoted sources who knew both Nelson and one of the victims, Jacey Pinnock.

They said two had been friends for several years and moved within the same circle of Caribbean-Canadians.

"This is really confusing for all of us," said a 20-year-old woman whose name the paper withheld.

Nelson, a Trinidad native, grew up in north Edmonton. "He is just quiet, but friendly, just a really nice guy all around," the woman said.

The shootings sent ripples of concern throughout the city's Caribbean-Canadian community.

"I'm worried about our scene," the woman said. "I'm worried about what people are doing, not just in the black community, but in every community.

"Most of us that are friends and are close to the people, we don't want to retaliate. We just want it to stop. The violence needs to stop and it's our responsibility to do it."

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In stories published October 30th, the Edmonton Sun and the Edmonton Journal identified two of the victims. The Medical Examiner's office formally confirmed the reports on November 1st.


Orak	Pinnock	Persaud

Family members told the newspapers that Thomas Tipo Orak, an 18-year-old Sudanese refugee, and 27-year-old Jacey Sydney Pinnock were among those shot at the club.

More information about Thomas Tipo Orak can be found here. Included is the story of Orak's struggle to succeed in Canada and his friend's account of the last few hours of the 18-year-old's life.

Pinnock was a friend of Varnado Stobbs who was murdered October 6th. More information about the young man, who according to friends and family, was trying to turn his life around can be found here.

The third person shot was identified by the medical examiner as 21-year-old Dave Persaud of Toronto.

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The Red Light Lounge shootings marked the deadliest single multiple-murder in Edmonton history.

The triple murder came just seven weeks after three other young people were killed within a 24-hour period on September 9th – the city's previous murder milestone.

Cody Aaron Bull, 28, was stabbed in a west-end apartment. Bull's common-law wife, Jolie Amy Panegyuk, was charged with second-degree murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

John Albert Buckniak, 21, was stabbed in a field near 40th Street and Hermitage Road after an altercation between two groups. No charges have been laid.

Popular bikini-model Lily Duong aka Lily Tran, 23, was shot in the head while driving a Mercedes near 76th Avenue at Argyll Road.

Police theorise the intended target of the shooting was Stephen Anthony Pillon – out on bail after being charged with the May 15th, 2005 murder of Kenyon Joseph Gardiner.

The most serious single-incident of murder in northern Alberta took place March 3rd, 2005 when four RCMP officers were ambushed and killed by James Roszko near Mayerthorpe. Roszko died at the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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The Red Light Lounge shootings were also the latest in a string of recent Edmonton-area night club deaths.

Michael Robert Rieger, 37, was shot to death June 18th, 2006 at the Kings Knight Pub in Mill Woods. Rieger was considered to be an associate of the Hells Angels. No charges have been laid in his murder.

Two days later Shawn Michael Yalowica, 19, was shot to death at the Laser Express Karaoke club, also in Mill Woods. Police consider the incident to be gang-related and the case remains open and active.

Most recently, Varnado Stobbs, 28, was shot to death October 6th, 2006 in the parking lot of the Gingur Sky Lounge in the city's west end. His murder also remains unsolved.

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Police Chief Mike Boyd issued a public statement on the morning of the October 29th shooting that was not widely reported by media covering the triple shooting. It is presented here as it was issued.

“This morning the people of Edmonton awoke to an extraordinary series of murders unlike anything in recent memory.”

“During the day, Homicide, Gang, and other units within the Edmonton Police Service have been working hard to determine who is responsible and why this happened.”

“While initial indications are that this is not a random act, the very public nature of the crime puts everyone at risk including unintended bystanders and is a concern for public safety.”

“We are assessing the progress of our investigation and will assign whatever necessary investigative resources are required.”

“I urge members of the public with information about this crime to contact investigators through the Police Information Line at 423-4567.”

“This type of public violence cannot be tolerated and must be attacked head-on to prevent it from escalating to levels experienced in other major North American cities.”

“As the investigation progresses we expect more information will be made public.”

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Mayor Stephen Mandel, who was in Yellowknife on business at the time of the shooting, issued a statement on the evening of October 29th.

"I share the outrage of our entire community at such a brutal and senseless act of violence."

"Such incidents affect our sense of security and safety. They cause our entire community great concern."

"There is no possible explanation that can or should mitigate our collective outrage at this event."

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The building located at 10018 105 Street has had a violent past, housing many clubs operating under different names and owners over the past ten years.

On March 18th, 2005, when the club was known as the Decadance Martini Bar, an 18-year-old man was wounded in a parking lot shooting. The police gang unit led the investigation.

On January 5th, 2003, when the venue was known as the Climaxx Club, a gang of up to 10 club-wielding Asian youths smashed windows and assaulted a bouncer.

On December 5th, 1996, when the building housed 1001 Nights Nightclub, a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were allegedly molested in an upstairs room. A bartender was charged with sexual assault but was later acquitted.

The current occupants of the building opened the Red Light Lounge on June 24th, 2006. The Edmonton Journal reported it was now shut down indefinitely.

The Red Light Lounge was owned by a group of numbered companies and Calgary-based partners.

On its web site the club billed itself as the official "party spot" for the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders football teams.

The nightspot also urged patrons to show up "sexy and stylish ... dress to impress" for "Mad Saturdays," when the club featured a lineup of DJs playing R&B, hip hop, reggae and calypso music.

The building is located within 50 metres of the historic Arlington apartment block.

The Arlington was torched by an arsonist in April 2005.

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deadmonton 2006 - red light lounge triple murder