Teen brothers accused in Copperfield basketball court stabbing appear in court

The two suspects facing second degree murder charges in the stabbing death of an 18-year-old in Copperfield last week, appeared in court Monday.

The 16-year-old and his 18-year-old brother are accused in the death of Danillo Canales Glenn, who Calgary police say was bear sprayed and stabbed several times at a community basketball court on Sept. 5.

Police say Canales Glenn was playing basketball with friends shortly before 8 p.m. at the time of the attack and that the victim and accused didn’t know each other.

The 16-year-old cannot be named due to provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

His brother, the 18-year-old co-accused, is also not being identified because doing so could identify the youth.

Both made an initial, brief court appearance via video on Monday and will remain in custody until their second court appearance on Sept. 22.

Loved ones are finding some relief from the news that charges have been laid in the case.

"I am very angry," said Jacob Shenton, a good friend of Canales Glenn's.

"This is absolutely the first step towards the justice Danillo deserves. He never did anything to hurt anyone. He deserves justice."

Shenton has been visiting the ever-growing memorial outside the basketball court every day since his friend’s death, and says is struggling to cope.

"I go to work and it’s all I can think about. I’ve been losing sleep because it’s been tragic. It’s hard to go through every day of life knowing one of your friends is no longer with you. One of the most caring people you’ve ever met in your life is no longer with you."

Friends, family and community members have also been finding support at the court memorial.

Some want to see something more permanent done in Canales Glenn’s honour, and have been circulating a petition to have the court, which doubles as an ice rink in the winter, named in his honour.

Canales Glenn had just turned 18 in August, had graduated over the summer, and was planning on attending post-secondary school this fall. Instead, his family is planning a viewing for Wednesday.

He is Calgary’s 13th homicide victim of 2023.