Edmonton police are searching for a suspect they say set two cars on fire in their run from officers on Tuesday after shooting a man to death near a west end business. Hiwa Palani, 39, died of gunshot wounds in the area of 11230 149 St. on Tuesday, an autopsy confirmed. Police had responded to a reported shooting in the area around 11:35 a.m. and found Palani in medical distress. He was taken to hospital and ultimately declared dead. Homicide investigators are now releasing photos of two vehicles they believe were used during and after the shooting. The first is a grey 2009 Mazda 3, which was used during the shooting then driven to 213 Street and 108 Avenue and set on fire, police said. The shooter then got into a 2007 red Ford Fusion, drove it to Ada Boulevard and 50 Street and then set that car on fire before fleeing on foot into the river valley. The Mazda fire was extinguished by witnesses in the area. The Ford fire was put out by Edmonton fire crews. Both vehicles, police say, had front bumper body damage. Investigators are asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam video in the area near the business or where the cars were, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., to review footage and look for the cars or people possibly involved. Tips can be called in to police at 780-423-4567. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers.
