Police identify man, woman wanted in Niagara Falls murder

Maaroof Bangi, 23, and 30-year-old Josta Grace Macneal, are both wanted for second-degree murder. (NRPS photos)

Police have named two outstanding suspects after a male was fatally shot in Niagara Falls late last week.

Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) said on July 16, just before 9 p.m., officers attended a home on Thorold Stone Road, near Dorchester Road, for reports of a male who had been shot.

They said investigators initially determined two suspects attended the residence and shot a male with a handgun.

The victim was taken to the hospital by paramedics but succumbed to his injuries a short time later, police said.

Police said the suspects in this “targeted” shooting had parked nearby and fled the scene in a newer model white Nissan SUV, possibly similar to a Rogue. A white Nissan Rogue has since been recovered, NRPS said.

On Sunday, they also released an image of a Black 2021 Mazda CX5 with the Ontario license plate DDEC 744, saying the suspects were “likely” operating it. That vehicle was later located, they said.

The suspects have now been identified as 23-year-old Maaroof Bangi and 30-year-old Josta Grace Macneal. They are both wanted for second-degree murder.

Police later said that Macneal has a distinctive feather tattoo on the left side of her neck.

Detectives noted that the suspects may “take steps to alter their appearance in order to avoid detection,” including changing their facial hair and the length and/or colour of their hair, and by wearing makeup and wearing different clothing styles.

Police had previously described the male as 25 to 35 years old and standing five-foot-six with a skinny build and dark skin. They said he wore a white t-shirt, dark pants, shoes, sunglasses, and a red bandana.

Investigators initially said the female is 18 to 25 years old with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing baggy blue sweatpants, a grey hooded sweatshirt, and white shoes.

Gun not recovered: police

“No firearm has been recovered in this incident, therefore Bangi and Macneal are still considered armed and dangerous at this time,” Niagara police said in a news release.

As a result, anyone who sees either suspect is advised to not approach them but instead call 911 immediately, police say.

Police are also urging the suspects to speak with a lawyer and turn themselves in.

Anyone with further information, including any local businesses with video surveillance footage, is asked to contact NRPS at 905-688 4111, option 3, extension 1009134, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.