SHOT DEAD
Stampeder killed at night club
CALGARY Members of the Calgary Stampeders are in mourning after the shooting death of teammate Mylan Hicks outside a Calgary nightclub early Sunday morning.
In what Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel described as a “terrible tragedy,” 23-year-old Hicks was critically injured after shots were fired outside the Marquee Beer Market, at 4630 Macleod Trail S., at about 2:30 a.m. He was taken to hospital, but died from his injuries.
Hicks, who was from Detroit and had been a member of the Stampeders’ practice squad since May, was described Sunday by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell as a hard worker who “truly cared about making the team better.”
Defensive back Joshua Bell said he was one of a few Stamps at the nightclub celebrating a comeback win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday when Hicks was killed, adding that the young player was “family” to him.
“I lost my little brother today,” he said while fighting back tears at a news conference just hours after the incident, adding he and Hicks would spend time together at least once a week.
“I have a son at home and just in reflection, it kind of hits you,” an emotional Bell said. “That could have been me last night, and I have a wife and a son and a little one on the way.”
Del Humphrey, a friend of Hicks’ family, told Postmedia his memories of Hicks go far back.
“He was a quiet kid with a lot of speed. I’ve watched him grow from little league to college. I remember the first day he started playing,” he said.
Humphrey said Hicks’ attitude off the field was even more impressive than his skill on it.
“He was awesome, even when he was in high school and played against the team I was coaching, he would still come up and give me a hug and say ‘good luck, Unc’ with a laugh. He was a great kid,” Humphrey said.
Insp. Don Coleman with the Calgary police major crimes section said three adult male suspects were arrested near the bar following the shooting, including one who is known to police.
Coleman told reporters there was an altercation inside the nightclub prior to closing time, which continued outside the bar and escalated to the point where shots were fired in the parking lot and Hicks was struck.
“I think the altercation in the bar was with maybe a little bit larger group and continued outside, where rounds were fired,” he said.
Crime scene tape blocked off a large area outside the bar Sunday morning, where a red vehicle remained in the middle of the parking lot, and a white shoe could be seen on the sidewalk just outside the nightclub entrance.
Coleman said there have been some “excellent witnesses” and investigators are hoping to resolve the case quickly. Investigators are appealing to anyone who witnessed the event or anyone who captured cellphone video to contact police.
Hufnagel said there were “several” members of the team present at the nightclub before the incident, although he wasn’t sure how many.
He said members of the team’s practice roster get themselves ready to play a football game every week as if they were a starter.
“When they do get their opportunity to be on the field, they are prepared to do so,” he said.
“And Mylan Hicks filled that role very, very well.”
Hicks previously played four seasons at Michigan State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2014.
He attended the San Francisco 49ers’ camp in 2015.
Ken King, the president and CEO of the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp., said in a statement that the loss of the 23-year-old player is an “unfathomable tragedy.”
“Our sympathies to Mylan’s family and to the Stampeders family of players, coaches and staff,” he said.
I lost my little brother today. ... That could have been me last night, and I have a wife and a son and a little one on the way.