Winnipeg police have charged a suspect in connection with the shooting death of a 24-year-old man at a Main Street bus stop on the weekend. The suspect had a court-ordered ban on possessing weapons at the time.
Darren Walsh, 24, died after being shot by a suspect while waiting at a bus stop on the east side of Main Street, north of Euclid Avenue, on Sunday.
A man got off a bus, walked across the street, pulled out a gun from a weed wacker box, said a few words to Walsh and then shot him three times, said witnesses.
Officers were called about the shooting around 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The victim was rushed to hospital but died from injuries.
Walsh had been sitting with his girlfriend and her 10-year-old daughter inside the bus shelter.
Walsh's mother, Nancy Goulet, had to identify the body of her son in a hospital morgue.
"He didn't even look like he was dead," said Goulet.
Police said the victim and suspect didn't know each other and the shooting appears to be a random, violent act.
Walsh's family members are struggling to understand what happened.
"I don't know why the guy would do this," said Trevor Walsh, Darren's brother.
The suspect fled the scene after the shooting but was stopped by a witness who ran after him and held him down until police arrived.
Walsh's family is grateful for the actions of the witness.
"He put his life on the line and I thank him for that," said Trevor.
Family members described Walsh as outgoing and said he always had a smile on his face.
Nancy Goulet is now concerned about the safety of others and said it's too easy for a suspect to get on a transit bus with a gun.
"He could have opened fire on that bus. It's a scary thing," said Goulet. She wants better security and metal detectors on city buses.
City officials said there is currently no plan to install metal detectors, but added they're always reviewing security measures.
Officers continue to investigate the shooting. Anyone who saw the incident who has not already talked to officers is asked to contact police. Investigators would like to speak with the occupants of a vehicle who may have had contact with a shirtless man in the area of Sutherland Avenue and Robinson Street on the day of the shooting. Investigators can be reached by calling 986-6508.
Officers have charged Jheruel Mananghaya, 24, of Winnipeg with multiple offenses, including second-degree murder, possession of a firearm while prohibited and carrying a concealed weapon, said police.
Mananghaya has previously been convicted for other offenses, including robbery, and was under a court-order ban not to possess any weapons for 10 years.
Mananghaya's mother told CTV News she's been having trouble with her son for years and he didn't want to stay in school and didn't have a job. On the day of the shooting, he told her he was just going out for the day.
The bus stop where Walsh was shot was also the scene of another fatal incident.
In December, Jessie McKenzie, 17, was killed while waiting for a bus at the stop when he intervened in a domestic dispute and was stabbed. That homicide remains unsolved.
- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley
