In a significant development for the investigation of a South Edmonton murder, Joseph Chlala, a suspect in the shooting death of Osama Ali, was arrested in Akwesasne, NY earlier this week. Chlala, 23, was apprehended on August 5, 2024, by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police. Following his arrest, he was deported to Canada, where the Ontario Provincial Police took him into custody.
The arrest concludes a months-long manhunt that began after Chlala was identified as the suspect in the June 12, 2023 murder of 21-year-old Osama Ali. Ali was found deceased in an Edmonton alley near Allard Boulevard SW and Arthurs Crescent SW. An autopsy revealed that he died from gunshot wounds, and the death was classified as a homicide.
On September 12, 2023, EPS issued a Canada-wide warrant for Chlala, charging him with second-degree murder. The case garnered widespread attention, with the EPS collaborating closely with the Bolo Program, which aids in locating Canada’s most wanted individuals.
OPP Detective Inspector Rob Johnston highlighted the vital role of the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) in this case, emphasizing the importance of cross-border law enforcement cooperation. “Maintaining border integrity and fostering coordinated efforts between Canadian and U.S. agencies are essential,” Johnston said.
Maxime Langlois, Executive Director of the Bolo Program, praised the collective efforts that led to Chlala’s capture. “Thanks to the vigilance of the entire country, our communities are safer today,” Langlois noted.
Det. Bryan Macaulay of the EPS expressed gratitude for the assistance of the Bolo Program, affirming that this case exemplifies the successful collaboration of international law enforcement in achieving justice.
