11 Men Charged in Connection to September Violent Clash in Falconridge

The Calgary Police Service (CPS) have charged eleven men in connection with a violent clash that involved two ethnic groups in Falconridge, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

The CPS said they had to dedicate resources to form an investigative task force following the violent clash which resulted in property damage.

Police had responded to reports of a violent clash on Sept. 2 outside the Magnolia Banquet Hall between two Eritrean groups. Police at the time, believed 150 people were involved in the fight. The police said they arrived to find people armed with weapons like stick and bats, rocks, bottles and so on.

Twelve people were taken to the hospital and police described the incident as “the largest violent event to happen in the city’s recent memory.”

In a statement released on Thursday, Police said “with support from the community, investigators have now charged a total of 11 men. Ykhlo Brhaane, 35, Daniel Negasi, 36, Okbazgi Tesfamichael Haile, 32, Habtom Haile, 33, and Efrem Haile Gebru, 38, have been charged with rioting and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Angosom Bahta, 35, and Tesfaldot Hailemariam Gebrekid, 27, have been charged with rioting, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Amaneul Kiflezgi Sium, 24, and Yamin Okubahanes, 28, have been charged with rioting, assault with a weapon, mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Tesfans Gebregzabher, 49, has been charged with rioting and assault with a weapon. Million Hagos, 43, has been charged with rioting.

According to the release, the police still relies on support from the community to help identify the remaining persons of interest and determine their level of involvement. “Our task force is committed to identifying all persons of interest”, says Acting Deputy Chief Scott Boyd of the CPS in the release.

The police have asked any community members with information to visit their webpage to view the outstanding persons of interest.

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