Alberta RCMP have laid charges against a second suspect in the fatal shooting of an international student on Highway 2 near Leduc last month.
Deon Libsekal, 23, has been charged with second-degree murder and accessory to murder in connection with the death of Birinder Singh, a 22-year-old Sikh man from India who was studying in Edmonton.
Singh died from his injuries on March 14 after someone in a passing pickup truck opened fire on his vehicle while he was driving on the highway near Township Road 490, just south of Edmonton.
Major Crimes Staff Sgt. John Brown announced the charges against Libsekal during a news conference Wednesday, noting the suspect was already in police custody on unrelated matters.
The charges come after RCMP arrested Jimmy Gassner, 18, of Lloydminster, Alta., last week near Canoe Lake, Sask. Gassner also faces second-degree murder charges in Singh's death.
Random attack, police say
According to Brown, investigators believe they have arrested all suspects involved in what they describe as a random, "one-off event." Police say neither Gassner nor Libsekal knew Singh or the two other people in his vehicle at the time of the shooting.
"It is alarming that the shooting happened during the daytime — any shooting in the public is alarming," Brown said.
Both suspects have criminal histories and were known to police prior to their arrests. Court records show Libsekal has previously faced charges including obstructing a peace officer and failure to provide information to a peace officer.
Not a hate crime, RCMP maintain
The World Sikh Organization of Canada has called for police to investigate Singh's killing as a hate crime, citing what the group describes as rising anti-Sikh sentiment across Canada.
However, Brown firmly rejected suggestions the shooting was racially motivated.
"I can tell you with certainty our investigation has shown this is absolutely not racially motivated whatsoever," Brown said. "We can say that for sure."
While RCMP say they have "some understanding" of the motives behind the crime, Brown did not provide specifics. He said investigators found no evidence the shooting was related to hate, robbery, gang initiation or road rage.
Brown acknowledged he could not rule out whether the shooting was a case of mistaken identity or whether the suspects have gang affiliations.
Singh had come to Canada as an international student and was living in Edmonton at the time of his death. The tragic incident has shaken the local Sikh community and raised concerns about safety on Alberta highways.
This story is based on reporting by CBC Edmonton. For the original article, visit CBC News.