Charges in son’s death ‘a slap in the face’ says father of swarming victim

CALGARY- A sixth arrest has been made in the swarming death of a young Calgary man—but it’s not the charge the victim’s family was hoping for.

Last November, 18-year-old Lukas Strasser-Hird died after being stabbed when a fight broke out near a downtown bar.

His father says he’s haunted by his son’s death every single day.

“The sun shines, but it doesn’t really shine anymore after you lose your child,” says Dale Hird.

In the months since Strasser-Hird’s death, five people have been charged. One faces first-degree murder charges, while the rest face second-degree murder charges.

Now, a sixth arrest has been made.

“We’ve arrested a 20-year-old male, he will be charged with common assault,” says S/Sgt. Colin Chisholm from the Calgary Police Service. “The evidence we have before us supports a charge of common assault.”

Hird says that news is devastating.

“It’s really hard to take, it’s like a slap in the face to our family. Lukas was hurt really bad, we watched him die right in front of us.”

He adds it’s concerning that there may be more people involved in his son’s death, who are walking free.

“I would hope the citizens of Calgary would be concerned there are still people out there, but I fear it’s the ‘not in my backyard, it’s not gonna happen to me.’ I thought that myself. Every single person that has Lukas’ blood on their feet or hands or anything should be charged.

“As his father, I’m not going to rest until everybody is charged.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "As his father, I'm not going to rest until everybody is charged."

Police said at least seven to 10 people were involved in the swarming. Of the six facing charges, only two remain behind bars.