Death of man found behind synagogue a homicide

A man whose body was found behind a west Edmonton synagogue Thursday morning died as the result of a homicide, Edmonton police say.

Abdulaziz Osman Isse, 21, suffered an apparent gunshot wound. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday afternoon to formally determine the cause of death.

Isse's body was found by staff at the Beth Israel Synagogue about 8:45 a.m.

While some residents speculated the victim might have been one of the homeless people known to frequent a nearby ravine, police said Isse was not considered to be homeless.

"Our officers have confirmed at this point that it is a homicide and they have not established any relationship between the male who was found deceased and the synagogue itself," police spokesperson Karen Carlson said.

Isse was originally from Eastern Canada and not known to police. No drug or gang connection has been confirmed, and police been unable to determine whether Isse's death is related to any other Edmonton homicides.