The Calgary Police Service Homicide Unit is investigating an early morning assault in Calgary’s Beltline which claimed the life of an 18-year-old man.
Just before 3:00 a.m., emergency crews responded to an alleyway near 1 St., between 10 Ave. and 11 Ave., following reports of a man in need of medical assistance.
On arrival, crews located a man who had been recently attacked and suffering critical, life threatening injuries.
The man was transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries hours later.
Friends have confimed the deceased man is Austin Lukas Strasser-Hird.
According to witnesses, Strasser-Hird’s injuries were the result of a chaotic scene in the alleyway, with as many as twenty people surrounding the victim. Members of the group kicked, punched, stomped and stabbed the man.
Robert Shepherd, who manages an apartment in the area, heard anguished cries from the alleyways as people attempted to stop the attack.
“I heard a girl yelling back here,” recollects Shepherd. “(She was yelling) it’s not worth it!”
Police say the beating was severe and detectives are attempting to piece together who was involved in the attack and at what point the victim suffered the fatal blows. Officers say the attack may not have been the only altercation the victim was involved in overnight.
A 20-year-old man was taken into police custody in connection to Saturday morning’s attack and several witnesses are being interviewed. No charges have been laid.
Anyone with information about the fatal attack is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service, 403-266-1234, or tips may be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
