38-yr man killed while trying to save his friend in Edmonton

EPS Homicide Section detectives are asking for the public’s help in solving the death of a 38-year-old man, who was stabbed while trying to help a friend in an assault. “It only takes that one person or phone call to lead us in the right direction in an investigation,” says Det. Bill Clark of Homicide Section.

At approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, June 6, 2010 two men were walking home when they were approached by a group of four to six white males in the area of 99 Street and 82 Avenue. The two men were surrounded by the group of males, who demanded money and then allegedly assaulted them.

The disturbance moved to the area east of 99 Street on 80 Avenue, in front of a house, where it appears three of the suspects continued to confront the two men. Friends of the two men being assaulted came to assist at that time. One of these friends was then stabbed and died as a result of his injuries.

“All of the victims were innocent parties to this unprovoked attack,” says Det. Clark. “There is no evidence at this time that this was in any way racially motivated.”

Police are asking for anyone’s assistance who may have observed anything suspicious in this area at the time. The suspects were last seen fleeing in a northwest direction, west of 99 Street, between 80 and 82 Avenue.

“There is a possibility this group of suspects is connected to other crimes of this nature in this area in the past,” says Det. Clark.

Investigators are canvassing the area today and talking to residents to gain more information. Detectives will also be checking businesses in the area for any available surveillance footage.

The suspects are described as:

Suspect #1: White male, between 5’7” and 5’10” tall, approximately 20 years old, chubby with short dark hair. He was wearing a white t-shirt, light-coloured baggy shorts to the knee and white high-top running shoes.

Suspect #2: White male, between 5’7” and 5’9” tall, between 18 and 20 years old, skinny with short dark hair. He was wearing black baggy shorts to the knees with pockets on the sides and carrying a back pack. It’s believed the suspect was armed with a knife.

Suspect #3: White male, tallest of the group, between 18 and 20 years old, possibly wearing a black leather jacket.