Man wanted for 2024 Little Italy homicide arrested in Türkiye

Ottawa police say a man wanted in connection with a 2024 homicide in Little Italy was arrested in Türkiye.

Jama Roble, 33, was shot on Champagne Avenue South on Jan. 29, 2024, and later died in hospital. Thirty-one-year-old Gibriil Bakal was wanted for first-degree murder following the incident.

According to a news release from police, Bakal was arrested in Türkiye after a biometric fingerprint check at the country’s border matched him to an Interpol Red Notice.

“The Ottawa Police Service would like to thank its policing and justice partners for their assistance, as well as the Bolo Program for helping amplify the wanted notice nationally,” Ottawa police said.

Bakal was 19th on the Bolo Program’s Canada’s most wanted list.

Police say Bakal appeared in court on Saturday.