Teen charged in weekend assault

Officers patrolling throughout the downtown on the weekend located a teen believed to be responsible for a stabbing that occurred Friday evening.

Shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025, a physical confrontation occurred between a teen and a man in his 40s in the 700 block of Fourth Street S.E. The victim, the man in his 40s, made his way into a nearby restaurant and was found by staff who then called police. Officers from the Calgary Police Service and Transit Public Safety arrived on scene and rendered medical aid until EMS arrived. The victim was transported to hospital in life-threatening condition. He has since been upgraded to serious but stable.

Investigators believe the victim and the suspect were not known to each other, however, they had an interaction within the restaurant, followed by a physical confrontation outside of the restaurant.

A suspect description was developed thanks to witnesses and CCTV images and distributed to officers and the media. Through tips and investigative follow through, a suspect was tentatively identified.

Around 3:30 p.m., on Sunday, March 30, 2025, District 1 Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) officers patrolling downtown as part of the Safer Calgary initiative, observed a man matching the description of the suspect in the 400 block of Sixth Avenue S.E. The man was arrested and a search following the arrest located more than 1,200 unstamped illegal cigarettes in his possession.

Owen Antonio CRUZ LAFOND, 18, has been charged with aggravated assault and fraud under $5,000. He remains in custody and will next appear in court on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

“We have seen several verbal altercations leading to violent physical altercations between people. If you see something concerning, call 9-1-1 for an incident in progress where safety is a concern, or 2-1-1 to be referred to non-emergency mental health or addictions crisis supports. We need your help to get the right people, to the right places, at the right time, to address safety concerns in our public areas,” says Staff Sgt. Derek Klassen, lead of the Safer Calgary initiative. “We will not tolerate violence within our community and will hold people accountable for their actions.”

Case #CA25128054/5747