Banff man killed in altercation at bar, suspect in custody
One man was killed and another was taken into custody after an altercation in Banff, Alta. on Thursday.
RCMP say the victim, a 26-year-old man, was injured in an incident at a "local drinking establishment" on Banff Avenue at around 2:26 a.m. Friday morning.
The victim was taken to hospital where he later died.
RCMP took a 22-year-old Banff man into custody from the same location where the victim was found.
Though RCMP didn't identify where exactly the violence occurred, police tape could be seen cordoning off the Dancing Sasquatch club and bar on Friday afternoon.
The Alberta RCMP major crimes unit is investigating the death with help from Banff RCMP and the RCMP forensic investigation unit.
Officials with the Town of Banff say the last incident of this nature in Banff was in 1990.
The incident was especially saddening for locals like Darby Simms who never imagined this could happen in her hometown.
“It’s disappointing because this was a local who was killed, everyone knows him or is connected to him in some sort of way,” she said.
“This is very shocking; it seems that crimes have started to increase here.”
Others like Dylan Eckhart began working in Banff for the summer and always imagined it as a safe place.
“You don’t expect something like this to happen in such a small town, but it’s scary because most locals here are out every night,” he said.
“The Sasquatch was a Sunday ‘fun day’ go to, a local staple so you never really feel vulnerable here until something like this happens.”
The incident was also unnerving for tourists. Cheng Zhang was visiting Banff with his family from California.
“I was just shocked to see this; I have always thought of this place as a peaceful tourist town:”
OFFICIALS WITH TOWN OF BANFF OFFER SUPPORT
Officials with the Town of Banff say the victim is a long-time resident of the mountain community.
"I send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young man taken from us in the prime of his life," said Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno in a statement.
"We are shocked, angry, and heartbroken," DiManno added, calling the homicide a "senseless act."
"We mourn this immense loss with all who knew and loved him."
DiManno also offered condolences in a video posted to the Town of Banff website.
Town officials are working to coordinate support services for residents.
"It's crucially important that residents know there are support services, counselling, and people available to talk to as they begin to process and grieve this tragedy. Please know you are not alone and we will get through this dark time together," DiManno said.
The Town is encouraging people in Banff to contact Bow Valley Victim Services at 403-760-0197 for support. After hours, the 211 help service connects callers to mental health or counselling support.
Banff RCMP are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the local detachment at 403-762-2226.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's response to Trump deportation plan a key focus of revived cabinet committee
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's promise to launch a mass deportation of millions of undocumented people has the Canadian government looking at its own border.
Who should lead the Liberals? 'None of the above,' poll finds
As questions loom over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership, a new Nanos Research poll commissioned for CTV News says a quarter of Canadians say none of the potential candidates appeal to them.
New technology solves mystery of late First World War soldier's flower sent home to Canada
In 1916, Harold Wrong plucked a flower from the fields of Somme, France and tucked it into a letter he mailed home to Toronto. For decades, the type of flower sent remained a mystery.
U.S. election maps: How did 2024 compare to 2020 and 2016?
Though two states have yet to be officially called, the U.S. election map has mostly been settled. How does it compare with the previous two elections?
Canada rent report: What landlords are asking tenants to pay
Average asking rents declined nationally on a year-over-year basis for the first time in more than three years in October, said a report out Thursday.
N.S. school 'deeply sorry' for asking service members not to wear uniforms at Remembrance Day ceremony
An elementary school in the Halifax area has backed away from a request that service members not wear uniforms to the school's Remembrance Day ceremony.
Remembrance Day: What's open and closed in Canada?
While banks and post offices will be closed nationwide on Remembrance Day, shops and businesses could be open depending on where you live in Canada.
Judicial recount for Surrey-Guildford confirms B.C. NDP's majority
The B.C. New Democrats have a majority government of 47 seats after a judicial recount in the riding of Surrey-Guildford gave the party's candidate 22 more votes than the provincial Conservatives.
48,584 space heaters recalled in Canada after burn injury in U.S.
Health Canada has announced a recall for electric space heaters over potential fire and burn risks, a notice published Thursday reads.