Arrest in man’s death after fight near store
City police have made an arrest after a man died in early April nearly three weeks after he was seriously injured in an altercation outside a southeast liquor store.
Police say just before 11 p.m. on March 24, three men had a confrontation while leaving the Star Liquor store in the 15500 block of McIvor Boulevard S.E. in the community of Copperfield.
During the altercation, it’s believed a man punched Peter William Nassichuk, resulting in the victim losing consciousness and hitting his head against the pavement. Police don’t believe any weapons were involved.
“There was an altercation in the liquor store and it carried on,” Insp. Don Coleman, of the Calgary police major crimes unit, told Postmedia. “I don’t think they knew each other.”
Nassichuk, 37, was taken to hospital in serious condition and died of his injuries April 11.
Police identified a suspect after reviewing video surveillance footage and witness accounts. The man was taken into custody Thursday and is now facing charges. His name will be released once he is formally charged.
Nassichuk’s death is Calgary’s fifth homicide of the year.
Friends remembered the lifelong Calgarian and professional painter as a man with a great sense of humour.
In an obituary, Nassichuk was described as a “free spirited person” who enjoyed painting, skateboarding and playing sports with his niece and nephew, and with friends from school.
He was buried on Sunday.
There was an altercation in the liquor store and it carried on. I don’t think they knew each other.