Redear Kadir-Shahwan's murder charge stayed in barbershop shooting

The Crown has stayed the first-degree murder charge against RedearKadir-Shahwan in connection to the barbershop shooting in Forest Lawn last year.

Kadir-Shahwan'spreliminary inquiry was set to begin on Monday.

"The evidence was extremely weak and the Crown's likelihood of conviction was limited," saidKadir-Shahwan's lawyer, Noel O'Brien.

• Redear Kadir-Shahwan charged with murder in barbershop shooting

On Nov.14,Khaled El-Ajami, 30, was a customer in the shop in the 5100 block of 20th Avenue S.E.when a man came in, engaged him in a short conversation, then pulled out a gun and shot him.

El-Ajami, who was known to police, was declared dead at the scene.

The shooting is believed to be linked to an ongoing gang war.

O'Brien says his client feels "some degree of relief" and the stay was "somewhat anticipated."

Kadir-Shahwan also faces a number of charges including attempted murder from a shooting on Jan. 24.

"The Crown has a duty to continuously reassess its case and ensure that, based upon the known evidence as a whole, there is always a reasonable likelihood of conviction," said Michelle Davio in a statement provided by Alberta Justice.

"In this case, there were parallel investigations and further disclosure is expected."

Stayed charges can be brought back within one year, though it's rare for that to happen.

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