Death of man at SE Calgary hookah lounge result of hit-and-run: CPS

Police say the death of a man at southeast Calgary hookah bar over the long weekend was the result of a hit-and-run.

Emergency crews were called to the Portico Lounge, near 17 Avenue SE and 36 Street SE, around 5 a.m. Monday for reports of a disturbance.

Responding officers found signs that some sort of altercation took place outside the bar but could not find a victim. Shortly after, police got word that a man arrived at the Peter Lougheed Centre and was pronounced dead.

Following an autopsy on Wednesday, the victim has been identified as 32-year-old Awed Tesgay Ghebremeskel. Investigators now believe he was struck by a vehicle that left the scene.

Police continue to look for a black Dodge Caliber, with damage to the passenger side of the vehicle’s rear end.

“We are working very closely with investigators in our Traffic Unit to investigate this death,” says Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson of the CPS Homicide Unit. “At this time, we are focusing our efforts on identifying those involved so we can determine whether or not this death was intentional.”

Anyone with further information about the suspected hit-and-run crash, or the events leading up to it, are being urged to contact police at 403-266-1234, or CrimeStoppers anonymously.