Family identify Maurice Arriagada as Saskatoon's 7th homicide victim of the year

Maurice Arriagada's family is not surprised that the 45-year-old is Saskatoon's seventh homicide victim of 2019.

They confirm that Arriagadais the man killed July 5 in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood. Police were called to a house at 334 Avenue T South early that afternoon after receiving reports of an injured man.

Police at the scene would not talk about happenedbut there were more than a half dozen cruisers on scene, the street was taped off and officers werecanvassing the neighbourhood.

Arriagada's sister saidshe learned of her brother's death that night. CBC is agreeingnot to nameher because she fears for her safety.

"I think the family, we all knew something bad was going to happen," she said in an interview.

"And from the rumours that he was trying to get out of a gang situation, that it wouldn't have been easy for him to get out."

She said that Arriagada had lost touch with his siblings after moving to Saskatoon two decades ago and becoming involved with gangs. She last had direct contact with him in 2010, although they stayed in contact through social media.

"Yeah, I know he's tried in the pastbut he keeps getting drawn back. You know, the threats that go with the gangs."

Police are not confirming his identity, or saying how he died.

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The houseis known in the neighbourhood as a gang house. It has "Terror Squad" spray-painted on a side wall and people who live on the block saidgang activity dictates how they behave.

"During the day I don't mind but nighttime, I wouldn't recommend walking around too much," said Gerry Orton, who lives next door.

"It's pretty dangerous out there."

Arriagadais not the only person who died in that neighbourhood on Friday. Police were also called to an apartment building on the 200 block of Avenue V South.

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A 52-year-old woman had died in the building and police said on Monday that her death was Saskatoon's eighthhomicide of the year. An autopsy is scheduled for July 10. Her death is not connected to Arriagada's, police say.