A nearly abandoned Main Street in Banff, Alta., on April 13, 2020. Todd Corroll/The Globe and Mail
Banff, Alta., hasn’t had a single homicide in 24 years. Police are now investigating two murders in the space of four weeks.
The crime scene for both murders was the Dancing Sasquatch, a nightclub located on Banff Avenue, one of the main drags in the Rocky Mountain town.
Alberta RCMP say John Praul, 20, of Lake Country, British Columbia, has been charged with second-degree murder after a man was killed early Saturday morning.
Police say they were called to Dancing Sasquatch at 12:09 a.m. MT to find a 27-year-old man from Foothills County, Alta., had been stabbed. He was transported to a hospital, where police say he died from his injuries.
They added that a second suspect was released from police custody without charge as he was found not to be directly involved.
Before he was arrested a few blocks from the club, Mr. Pruhl injured himself trying to break into a home to hide from the police.
Natalie Zammit, 24, said she was awakened by her dog, a golden retriever named Oakley, barking at someone outside her home, which is a seven-minute walk from Dancing Sasquatch.
“I found our door shaking like someone was trying to come in,” she said. When she told him to leave, Ms Zammit said he began slamming his body against the door to break it down. When the police arrived at her home, Ms. Zammit said, she finally came outside.
Photos show large splatters of blood dripping down the door of her house and the doorknob covered in blood. “You could see stains on the glass from where he was hitting him with his hands and shoulder,” she said.
Ms. Zammit later said she learned that when the man failed to break into her apartment, he ran up the stairs to try to get into her neighbors’ homes. When that didn’t help, he climbed onto the roof and fell.
A similar incident took place at the nightclub in the early hours of August 5.
At 2:26 a.m. MT officers from the Banff RCMP detachment were called to the nightclub for an altercation. When they arrived, they found a man, now identified as 26-year-old Banff resident Ethan Enns-Gono, had been stabbed. Like the other victim, Mr Enns-Goneau was transported to hospital and died shortly afterwards.
Officers arrested John-Christopher Ariza, 22, also of Banff, outside the club and charged him with second-degree murder.
RCMP say they believe both killings were isolated incidents, adding that there is “no further concern for the safety and security of the general public,” although police acknowledged public concern over the sudden increase in violence.
“Our officers are committed to your safety and the protection of our community,” said Banff RCMP Detachment Commander Sergeant Mike Buxton-Carr. “Banff RCMP actively patrol the downtown area, including the pedestrian area, every night to provide a visible crime deterrent and are available at all times to respond to calls from the public for assistance.”
The news of the murders shook the residents.
“It just makes you wonder: Can you go out again? What’s going to happen?” said Ms Zammit, who added that the recent spate of deaths left her feeling “terrified”.
Banff Mayor Corey DiManno said in a statement Sunday that the incidents have left a “community in mourning” still trying to heal from the first fatal stabbing in August.
“Like many in the community, I feel angry, deeply saddened and devastated by the fatal stabbing in our city yesterday. On behalf of the council and the community, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the young man who died,” Ms Di Mano said. “This brutal violence is shocking to our community and we take this issue very seriously.”
After Mr. Enns-Goneau’s murder, Banff began encouraging residents to seek mental health counseling, opening daily mental health help at Banff Hospital.
“This [latest] the incident will cause a resurgence of anxiety and trauma for some,” Ms Di Mano added. “It is vital that people who are experiencing difficulties have access to the support services they need during this time.”
Our Morning Update and Evening Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a quick summary of the day’s top headlines. Sign up today.
Add Comment