Gun found in search for homicide evidence

A gun was found Friday night during the search for evidence into the Thursday shooting death of Peyman Hatami, Ottawa police have confirmed.

But Staff Sgt. Bruce Pirt of the major crimes unit would not say if it was the same gun that killed the 31-year-old.

Policehad widenedthe search perimeter near Dynes Road and Prince of Wales Drive in the Carleton Heights neighbourhood, where Hatami was found suffering from a bullet wound in his chest on Thursday afternoon.

As of Saturday morning, police said therewere no suspects. Pirt said major crimes investigators were continuing to round up and question witnesses. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

Pirt said Thursday's shooting is not related to last week's triple shooting on Borthwick Avenue in the city's east end.In a press release, police said theshooting does not appear to be random.

Restaurant owner heard 'little pop'

Hatami was found in a parking lot next to the Asian Garden Chinese restaurant.

The restaurant's ownertold CBC Newshe heard a "little pop" shortly before Hatami was found. The man didn't want his name used out of fear.

"I didn't know it was a [gun] shot," the man said."Then my daughter came inside and said, 'there's a guy who fainted outside.' That's when I went outside, and that's all I know."

The restaurant owner said he walked outside and saw a man lying on his back, struggling to breathe.

"He was fighting for air. And I called 911 and that's it. That's all I know. Like I said, I was inside. I heard a little pop, but I didn't expect it was a shot."

Two other bystanders started CPR, then police and paramedics arrived, the man said. He didn't see any vehicles or people leaving the scene. He estimated a few minutes had passed between hearing the pop sound and his daughter arriving.

Victim had criminal record

Court records show Peyman Hatami was convicted in 2009 of assault causing bodily harm, robbery, uttering threats and more after an incident in February of that year. Two other men were charged and convicted in connection with the incident.

A number of drug and weapons charges filed againstHatamiin 2004 were later withdrawn.