Quote:
Five dead in stabbing called 'the worst mass murder in Calgary's history'
By Matthew Coutts | Daily Brew – 7 hours ago...
An overnight stabbing that left five university students dead in Calgary is being called the worst mass murder in the city’s history and has left the University of Calgary community reeling.
Four men and one woman, all in their 20s, were fatally stabbed early Tuesday morning while attending a house party a short distance from the University of Calgary campus, celebrating the end of the school year.
The Calgary Police Service confirms they were called to a home in the city's northwestern neighbourhood of Brentwood at about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday morning, where some student-aged young adults had been holding a celebratory gathering.
Police say five people were found stabbed. Three were declared dead at the scene and two others died in hospital. The victims have not yet been identified; police say no names will be released until the completion of autopsies.
Calgary police's homicide unit is currently investigating and has been interviewing witnesses through the day. One suspect was taken into custody after a brief police pursuit. Police say he was taken to hospital with minor injuries sustained during the police pursuit.
Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson confirmed that the 23-year-old suspect was the son of a Calgary police officer with 33 years on the force. Police have not confirmed the identity of the suspect, but the Calgary Herald reports his name is Matthew de Groot. A Facebook page connected to that name suggests de Groot had studied psychology at the University of Calgary and was recently accepted to the university's law school.
The last message posted to the Facebook page appeared Monday evening and reads simply, "Dread and the fugitive mind- the world needs a hero."
Police believe that the suspect was a welcome guest at the house party, belived to be celebrating the end of the academic year. Hanson said the suspect had allegedly brought a weapon to the event, but found and used a knife from the home in his attack, targeting the victims and stabbing them several times.
"This is the worst mass murder in Calgary's history," Hanson told reporters. "We have never seen five people killed by an individual at one scene. The scene was horrific."
The stabbings occurred at a home on the 100 block of Butler Crescent, a short distance from University of Calgary campus. The party has as many as 30 guests at one point, but only about 20 remained at the time of the stabbings.
Neighbours told Postmedia News that the home had been rented to university students, who were celebrating the end of the school year. Nearby resident Doug Jones told CBC News the gathering was a relaxed affair.
“When it started to get dark, they moved inside and once inside, you wouldn’t even be able to tell there was anything really even going on. It wasn’t loud at all,” he told CBC.
The deaths have hit the University of Calgary community especially hard. University of Calgary President Elizabeth Cannon urged students affected by the tragedy to seek help through the campus wellness centre.
"Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families who lost their loved ones in this senseless tragedy," Cannon said. "The university community has lost a part of its family, and this is a very difficult time for all of us."
On Monday, the university students’ union had celebrated the end of the school year with its annual "Bermuda Shorts Day" festivities. The central event would have been held only a short walk from where the young men and woman were stabbed later that night.
Union President Raphael Jacob said the campus community was affected by the loss. "We are shocked to learn of the senseless tragedy that occurred early this morning on the 100 block of Butler Cres. NW. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of all those affected," said Jacob.
Alberta Premier Dave Hancock called the attack a "senseless, shocking and horrible tragedy."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in the Brentwood neighbourhood," he said. “We will pull together as a community to make sure the families get the support they need as they cope with this terrible event."
By Matthew Coutts | Daily Brew – 7 hours ago...
An overnight stabbing that left five university students dead in Calgary is being called the worst mass murder in the city’s history and has left the University of Calgary community reeling.
Four men and one woman, all in their 20s, were fatally stabbed early Tuesday morning while attending a house party a short distance from the University of Calgary campus, celebrating the end of the school year.
The Calgary Police Service confirms they were called to a home in the city's northwestern neighbourhood of Brentwood at about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday morning, where some student-aged young adults had been holding a celebratory gathering.
Police say five people were found stabbed. Three were declared dead at the scene and two others died in hospital. The victims have not yet been identified; police say no names will be released until the completion of autopsies.
Calgary police's homicide unit is currently investigating and has been interviewing witnesses through the day. One suspect was taken into custody after a brief police pursuit. Police say he was taken to hospital with minor injuries sustained during the police pursuit.
Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson confirmed that the 23-year-old suspect was the son of a Calgary police officer with 33 years on the force. Police have not confirmed the identity of the suspect, but the Calgary Herald reports his name is Matthew de Groot. A Facebook page connected to that name suggests de Groot had studied psychology at the University of Calgary and was recently accepted to the university's law school.
The last message posted to the Facebook page appeared Monday evening and reads simply, "Dread and the fugitive mind- the world needs a hero."
Police believe that the suspect was a welcome guest at the house party, belived to be celebrating the end of the academic year. Hanson said the suspect had allegedly brought a weapon to the event, but found and used a knife from the home in his attack, targeting the victims and stabbing them several times.
"This is the worst mass murder in Calgary's history," Hanson told reporters. "We have never seen five people killed by an individual at one scene. The scene was horrific."
The stabbings occurred at a home on the 100 block of Butler Crescent, a short distance from University of Calgary campus. The party has as many as 30 guests at one point, but only about 20 remained at the time of the stabbings.
Neighbours told Postmedia News that the home had been rented to university students, who were celebrating the end of the school year. Nearby resident Doug Jones told CBC News the gathering was a relaxed affair.
“When it started to get dark, they moved inside and once inside, you wouldn’t even be able to tell there was anything really even going on. It wasn’t loud at all,” he told CBC.
The deaths have hit the University of Calgary community especially hard. University of Calgary President Elizabeth Cannon urged students affected by the tragedy to seek help through the campus wellness centre.
"Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families who lost their loved ones in this senseless tragedy," Cannon said. "The university community has lost a part of its family, and this is a very difficult time for all of us."
On Monday, the university students’ union had celebrated the end of the school year with its annual "Bermuda Shorts Day" festivities. The central event would have been held only a short walk from where the young men and woman were stabbed later that night.
Union President Raphael Jacob said the campus community was affected by the loss. "We are shocked to learn of the senseless tragedy that occurred early this morning on the 100 block of Butler Cres. NW. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of all those affected," said Jacob.
Alberta Premier Dave Hancock called the attack a "senseless, shocking and horrible tragedy."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in the Brentwood neighbourhood," he said. “We will pull together as a community to make sure the families get the support they need as they cope with this terrible event."
Another tragedy hitting close to someone's home. In someone's city. The city I live in.