Six youth charged, two outstanding, in swarming attack on store employees

Six youth have been charged in a swarming attack that left two store employees with significant injuries in November. Further charges are expected to be laid on an additional youth and investigators are seeking public assistance to identify and locate an eighth person believed to have been involved.

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, around 4 p.m., a group of male youths had been asked to leave the Shoppers Drug Mart in the 800 block of 17 Avenue S.W., after causing a disturbance. The group left the store but remained outside the entrance. One employee from the store left after concluding his shift and was engaged in a verbal altercation by the group. The altercation escalated and the employee was physically assaulted repeatedly. Another store employee attempted to intervene and was also assaulted by the group.

An investigation following the incident led to identifying seven of the eight suspects. On Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, six of the youth were arrested and charged each with one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault. They were released from custody and will next appear in court on Feb. 13, 2023. The youth are between the ages of 15 and 17 and cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Since then, a seventh suspect was identified and officers are currently attempting to locate the person to speak to them regarding their involvement. This person is believed to be 18 years old and can be named once charges are officially laid.

The eighth individual involved remains unidentified and his age remains unknown. Investigators believe he is known to the seventh suspect and is described as average height for a male between the ages of 16 and 18, with a slim build, a medium-dark skin tone, wearing a dark winter jacket with a black fur-lined hood, black sweatpants and white running shoes. Due to the potential he is a youth, we are unable to share CCTV photos of the suspect. Anyone who may know his identity to contact police at the non-emergency number at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can also be provided through Crime Stoppers:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips

Case #22450438