'Worked hard to get where he was': Calgary basketball player victim in fatal shooting
Members of Calgary's basketball community are among those mourning the death of a man who they say inspired people on and off the court.
John Smith, a one-time MVP at the college level, was found suffering gunshot wounds just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 600 block of Eighth Avenue S.W., near the Junction Underground and Common Bond restaurant.
Smith played guard for the SAIT Trojans and in recent years coached and mentored young players, including Chris Sharkey's son.
Sharkey says he's gutted by the news and described Smith as someone the players looked up to, especially given what he described as Smith's tough upbringing.
"The fact that he was older was something that was special for all of these kids … cause they knew he came from a hard place," he said.
"They knew he had worked hard to get where he was and they knew that his views on things were valid when it came to basketball."
Staff at the nightclub witnessed the shooting and called 911. Smith was rushed to hospital where he later died.
A second man was also dropped off at hospital suffering serious injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sits out 3rd straight game to open the playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sat out his third straight game to open the playoffs Wednesday night because of an undisclosed injury.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.