Teen charged in downtown Calgary stabbing
Posted Mar 31, 2025 12:12 pm.
Last Updated Mar 31, 2025 7:50 pm.
A teenager is facing charges after a stabbing in downtown Calgary that left a man in life-threatening condition.
Just after 8 p.m. on Friday, police say there was a fight between a teen and a man near a Tim Horton’s restaurant near 4 Street SE and 7 Avenue SE.
The victim, the man in his 40s, made his way to the bathroom of the restaurant, where staff found him and called police.
He was taken to hospital and has since been upgraded to serious but stable condition.
Investigators believe the victim and the suspect didn’t know each other but had an interaction inside the restaurant that led to things getting physical outside.
Police were able to get an idea of what the suspect looked like thanks to CCTV and witness accounts.
Around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, District 1 Community Engagement Response Team officers who were patrolling downtown as part of the Safer Calgary initiative, saw a man matching the description of the suspect on 6 Avenue SE.
Officers arrested him, and also found more than 1,200 unstamped illegal cigarettes in his possession.
Eighteen-year-old Owen Antonio Cruz Lafond is now facing charges of aggravated assault and fraud under $5,000.
“We have seen several verbal altercations leading to violent physical altercations between people. If you see something concerning, call 911 for an incident in progress where safety is a concern, or 211 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,” Staff Sgt. Derek Klassen, lead of the Safer Calgary initiative, said. “We will not tolerate violence within our community and will hold people accountable for their actions.”
He was remanded into custody and is set to appear in court on Wednesday
