Earlier today, investigators from the United States (US) Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced several arrests of individuals believed to be responsible for the murder of a Niagara man.
On April 1, 2024, Niagara Regional Police officers responded to the area of Epworth Circle and St. Lawrence Avenue in the City of Niagara Falls regarding a possible shooting.
Officers arrived on scene and located a male victim with life threatening injuries.
The male, 29-year-old Randy Fader, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
His death was then investigated by detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service Homicide Unit.
On October 17, 2024, during a media announcement in Los Angeles, California, United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced that it had charged threeindividuals for the homicide of Randy Fader.
The Niagara Regional Police Service Homicide Unit worked collaboratively in this investigation with the FBI, US Homeland Security, US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Los Angeles Police Department. Further Canadian law enforcement assistance has been provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto Police Service, and Peel Regional Police.
These charges are part of a larger investigation into a transnational drug trafficking operation.
The accused have been identified as 43-year-old Ryan James Wedding, 34-year-old Andrew Clark, both Canadian citizensresiding in Mexico and 23-year-old Malik Cunningham, also a Canadian citizen. Andrew Clark was arrested on October 8, 2024, by Mexican authorities and is currently in US custody. Cunningham was arrested on October 16, 2024, in the City of Toronto.
The FBI has issued an arrest warrant for Ryan James Wedding, and he remains at large.
The FBI have charged Andrew Clark with eight felonies: two counts of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of conspiracy to export cocaine, one count of leading a continuing criminal enterprise, three counts of murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime, and one count of attempt to commit murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime. Clark has an additional charge of murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and drug crime.
Cunningham is also charged with the murder of Randy Fader.
This remains an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009417.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
QUOTE
“As we see the ongoing encroachment of violent crime in Niagara, this is an example of the collaborative work of our dedicated investigators.
Crime has no boundaries; we are committed to continuing to work closely with other domestic and international law enforcement partners to bring those who take violent action in our communities to justice.”
Chief of Police Bill Fordy
Detectives Investigating Niagara Falls Death – Update 2 (April 9, 2024)
Detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service Homicide Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old male that occurred in the area of Epworth Circle and St. Lawrence Avenue in the City of Niagara Falls on April 1, 2024, at 6:19pm.
Detectives are now appealing to food delivery drivers who made deliveries on Epworth Circle on April 1, 2024, between 2:45 pm and 6:20 pm, to contact detectives.
Additionally, anyone who may have been in the area, and/or have video or dashcam footage between those hours is asked to review their video footage and if the attached vehicle is observed, or anything that appears to be suspicious, contact detectives.
Detectives continue to look for the suspect vehicle, described as a 2020-2024 Audi Q7 with a black optic or “black ops” package.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009417
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
Update 1 – Suspect Vehicle (April 3, 2024)
The Homicide Unit with the Niagara Regional Police Service continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting that occurred in the area of Epworth Circle and St. Lawrence Avenue in the City of Niagara Falls on April 1, 2024, at 6:19pm.
As a result of the investigation, detectives have identified the suspect vehicle as a 2020-2023 Audi Q7 with a black optic or “black ops” package.
A 29-year-old male was pronounced deceased following the shooting. Detectives continue to work diligently to identify a suspect in relation to this shooting.
People who may have been in the area, and/or have video or dashcam footage between the hours of 2pm-7pm on April 1 are asked to review their video footage and if the attached vehicle is observed, or anything that appears to be suspicious, contact detectives.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009417
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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Original Release – (April 2, 2024)
On Monday, April 1, 2024, at 6:19pm, 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) uniform officers attended the area of Epworth Circle and St. Lawrence Avenue in the City of Niagara Falls in regards to a possible shooting.
Officers arrived on scene and located a male victim with life threatening injuries.
The male was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The Homicide Unit is currently investigating this incident.
At this time, no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009417
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.