Police arrest 5 men in Levy Kasende shooting death

Ottawa police have arrested five men in connection with the August shooting death of Levy Kasende and charges, including murder,are expected to be laid later Thursday.

Kasende, 22, was visiting his daughter and ex-girlfriend on Aug. 25, 2012 when he was shot and killed during what was described as a drive-by shooting.

Police sources told CBC Newsthey don't expectall five men to be charged, but some will be charged with murder.

One of the people chargedcouldbe a man Kasende shot in the shoulder at the corner of Rideau and Cumberland streets on Canada Day 2010, the sources said.

Theyadded search warrants are being executed at several residences.

Field searched for weapon

Police had recently been searching a field in rural east Ottawa for a revolver believed to have been used in the shooting. They said Thursday it still hasn't been found.

That same field is also wherepolice found aburned-out van police said they believe is also connected to the shooting.

An anonymous letter police received in April pointed to potential suspects and a motive, according to police.

"It wasn't a single event that brought us to this point in time, it was a cumulative effect," said Staff Sgt. Bruce Pirt of Ottawa police.

"We had to overcome various hurdles in the case, such as lack of witness co-operation at the beginnning. But we eventually did manage to cobble together a fairly good caseenough to get us to this point today."

Family told Thursday morning

Kasende's brother Thierry said his family was told about thearrestsThursday morning.

"We haven't completely been in the dark (throughout the investigation)," he said.

"Yes, we would have liked it to happen a lot faster but from(the police's)side I think they did a pretty good job in letting us know where they stood, what was happening."

Kasende's daughter is now one year old.

Police are asking anyonewith information to contact the major crime division at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477.