Police, homicide victim's family ask tipster to come forward

An anonymous letter sent to the lead detective of an unsolved 2012 homicide contains information that goes well beyond street rumour, and policeas well as the victim's familyare hoping the writer will come forward.

Levy Kasende, 22, was killed in a drive-by shooting outside of his ex-girlfriend's home on Aug. 25 on Innes Road.

Of seven homicides that year, it's the only unsolved case. Police have repeatedly asked for witnesses to come forward.

The letter arrived at the detective's desk in a plain, white business envelope in the last few weeks. It was handwritten in block letters and was two pages in length.

It contains valuable information, police sources said, including possible suspects and a possible motive.

Witnesses at sceneunco-operative with police

"The information that was in the letter, we believe that that person either witnessed the event or has spoken to someone who witnessed the event," said major crimes unit Staff Sgt. Robert Drummond.

"It's pointing in some direction, but we need more detailed informationto help us with our investigation," he said.

The writer appears to have gone through a lot of trouble to disguise whether they're male or female, police sourcessaid.

Investigators want to talk to the writer in person and are appealing that person to come forward. Witnesses at the scene the night Kasende was shot have been unco-operative, worried they might get caught up on the violence.

"At the end of the day, to go forward in court, we need witnesses and evidence. And right now, those two items are limited," Drummond said.

"I can understand how [they] could be frightenedbut if they contact us we'll work with them. There are techniques and means that we can use to assist them."

Family hoping for closure

Kasende had a child with his ex-girlfriend, the woman he was visiting the night he was shot. The child's grandmother, Louris Labib, said it's been hard for the family not to have any closure.

She said she hopes people who can help with the case will step up to do so.

"Please do," Labib said. "It's affected so many peoplenot just the families. There are a lot of people who would like to see justice for Levy."

"I understand [their fear], but at the same time they have to put themselves in other people's shoes. How would they feel if this had happened to one of their loved ones. Would they not want the same, would they not want justice, would they not want closure to put an end to all of this?"

Labib said it's been bittersweet to watch Kasende's daughter grow up.

"As sweet as it is to see her developing and growing, the sad part is, her father's not here to witness any of it," she said.

"And today's her first birthday, which is a very happy event, but at the same time it's sad because he should have been here. He would have been so proud of her. She's such a beautiful, smart little girl."

Investigators continuing to comb scene

Police continue to look intoa burned-out van found abandoned in a farmer's field just minutes after the shooting.

The major crimes unit believes the van was used in the crime.

Searches of the site led to the discovery of some evidence, but no murder weapon.

Now that snow in the area has melted, police said they'll be conducting an expanded search in the area.