Victim prone to outbursts

Medical condition may have played role in stabbing death, say police

Frank Burton was susceptible to loud outbursts and offensive comments, as a result of a mental illness, according to police.

Investigators believe the 56-year-old’s medical condition may have played a role in his stabbing death in northwest Calgary on Wednesday.

“He had a loud, booming voice and ... the outbursts could be carried over a distance. Somebody who overheard the outbursts could misconstrue it being directed at them, resulting in a confrontation,” said Staff Sgt. Doug Andrus with the homicide unit.

“So we’re taking the unusual step to provide this information again because we believe it could have played a role in this individual being victimized.”

Andrus said a woman with a young child was walking by a residence in the 4200 block of Centre Street N.W. in Highland Park when she witnessed a confrontation between Burton and another individual near the side entrance of the home. “Being concerned for her safety, she immediately left the area and called the police. So we responded right away,” Andrus said.

When officers arrived around 9 a.m., they found Burton wounded outside the building, where he lived. He was taken to hospital but died of his injuries. The area was soon cordoned off with yellow tape.

Members of the tactical team were called to the scene to where the victim was found, and located a person inside the home.

That individual, and two other people found near the home, were all being treated as witnesses, police told reporters Wednesday.

Andrus said police are now looking for a suspect, described as a man with darker skin, a stocky build, about five-foot-10. He was wearing a grey hoodie at the time.

The building has eight separate suites and police have spoken with five of the eight individuals living at the residence.

“We’re still waiting to locate and speak with the other three. We’re also looking to obtain descriptions to see if they match the description of the individual who had the con- frontation. So it’s a possibility that there could be somebody from that residence involved,” Andrus said.

“The landlord is being co-operative with us, providing us with names. The records aren’t detailed so we still have to do a lot of work to confirm the information we’re being provided.”

Ground searches were conducted by officers, but residents are urged to examine their yards and to report any weapons or suspicious clothing. Andrus said police have conducted neighbourhood inquiries and are also looking at obtaining CCTV to aid with the case. He urged anyone who knows the victim and has witnessed past outbursts and altercations between him and others to contact police.