CRESTMONT SHOOTING
Man and his dog killed
A man and his dog were gunned down and killed Wednesday afternoon in the neighbourhood of Crestmont, prompting Calgary police to vow this type of dangerous criminal activity won't be tolerated.
“This shooting took place in the middle of the day in a neighbourhood area where people were out walking their dogs,” said homicide unit Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm.
“We will not tolerate this kind of reckless disregard for public safety and will dedicate as many resources as it takes to finding the person or persons responsible.”
Police indicated they received reports of the shooting in the 500 block of Cresthaven Place S.W. around 1:30 p.m. They later confirmed the victim, a man, had died. Police don't believe this incident was random.
“We are currently speaking with a number of witnesses who were in the area at the time of the shooting and are asking anyone with information to contact police,” said Chisholm.
Police began searching for a suspect they believe fled in a vehicle that “may be related” to a vehicle recovered by Cochrane RCMP.
Close to half a dozen police vehicles were seen in the area after the shooting. The 500 block of Cresthaven Place S.W. and an accompanying walkway at the north end of the road were taped off from the public Wednesday afternoon. Officers appeared to be focused on the pathway. People were seen walking by the street, several of whom were walking their dogs.
Estevan Quintero, who lives in the neighbourhood, said he saw police vehicles arrive and went outside to see what was happening.
“I saw just down the street, in the park there by the pond, there was a police officer and two other people there standing and I saw the police officer doing CPR,” said Quintero. “I thought it was like a bobcat attack because we've seen the bobcat in the area. So, I thought it was like an animal attack.”
He said he didn't hear anything prior to police arriving but a number of neighbours had told Quintero they heard multiple gunshots before hearing a fleeing vehicle.
He said he was shaken up by the news that a shooting had occurred in his neighbourhood. Quintero described the area as very quiet, with emergency vehicles being an uncommon sight.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call the non-emergency number at 403-266-1234 or contact Crime Stoppers.