Comedian steps up to help out family of slain Stampeder
As a father, Kris LaBelle’s heart is breaking for Mylan Hicks’s family.
The standup comedian and producer says the shooting death of the young Stampeders player at a Calgary bar last weekend was so senseless that he felt compelled to act. He’s donating the proceeds of the first 200 tickets sold for an upcoming Halloween show to the man’s family.
“I saw the toll it’s taking on the team and on the family. As a dad and as someone who left gang life, I related. (Hicks’ death) has deeply affected my soul,” LaBelle said.
“The least we can do as a city and a community is banding together to help out the family.”
LaBelle hopes to raise $6,000 from the Mylan Hicks’ Fundraiser at Yuk Yuk’s in the Elbow River Casino on Oct. 28.
The show features comedienne Celeste Lampa and Sterling Scott from Edmonton, who was recently signed by Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud network. For details go to www.yukyuks.com/calgary or call 403-258-2028.
LaBelle broached the idea of a fundraiser with Hicks’s cousin, who said the family is devastated by the tragedy.
“Apparently Mylan was extraordinarily close with his mom and he was the son who provided ... I didn’t grow up with much in Thunder Bay. My mom was a single mom, so I kind of know what it’s like to struggle. I just want to give back. I want to show my son what it takes to go above and beyond to help a human in trouble.”
Hicks, 23, was a player on the Stampeders’ practice roster. He and some teammates were at Marquee Beer Market in the early hours of Sept. 25 when a confrontation between two groups boiled over to the parking lot, according to police. Shots were fired and Hicks was hit. He was rushed to hospital, where he died.
Calgary police announced Monday that a 19-year-old man, Nelson Tony Lugela, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case.
“Here’s this young guy who ... survived the streets of Detroit, landed himself a professional career in football in a great city with a great fan base and who was just getting his life started,” said LaBelle.
“He was just 13 years older than my son.”