Calgary police have identified the teenager who was killed following a stabbing incident in the southeast neighbourhood of Forest Lawn on Thursday.
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Southeast 41st Street around 7 p.m. on reports of a “struggle involving weapons.”
When police arrived at the scene, they found a teenager who appeared to have been stabbed. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition but was eventually pronounced dead.
Earlier this week, Global News spoke to friends of the victim, who confirmed the victim was a 16-year-old boy from Calgary.
The Calgary Police Service said it would not release further details until an autopsy is completed, but confirmed a 17-year-old boy is facing a first-degree murder charge.
On Sunday, CPS identified the victim. Police said the fight has officially been ruled a homicide.
“This tragedy should never have happened. My condolences go out to the victim's family,” Calgary Police Service Homicide Sgt. Sean Gregson said in a news release. “The impact of incidents like this ripples through the community. My heart goes out to the family and friends who have been devastated by this tragedy.”
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Alyssa Meloche, 16, told Global News earlier this week that the victim was her friend. She said he stayed with her family for a time when he needed a place to stay.
“(He's) a great guy. He's so sweet. He didn't deserve what happened to him,” Melosh said. “He was amazing. He was always there for me when I was down. I was there for him when he was down. We had each other's backs. We were close. He was 16.”
Melosh said she and her boyfriend, Arlo Quinn, 18, arrived at the crime scene minutes after the stabbing.
“I don't know how to process this. We were here 15 minutes after he was killed. Finals are coming up and I have to grieve during finals,” Melosh said, wiping away tears.
Quinn called the victim his best friend.
“I'm 18 and it's not going well right now, and I've watched him make a lot of choices that I made as a kid at his age, and I was there trying to redirect him,” he said. “I love this kid … He doesn't deserve what happened to him, and I want justice to be served.”
He explained that the victim’s family took him in when he needed a place to stay.
“They gave me a place to live when I had nothing,” Quinn said. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here.”
Several police officers were in the area on Thursday night and police have blocked off a section of the road to allow for investigations.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact police. Tips can also be made anonymously to Crimeline.
— With files from Carolyn Kury de Castillo of Global News
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