WATCH: More than eight months after a Calgary man was robbed and killed outside his northeast business, a suspect is taken into custody. Nancy Hixt reports.
CALGARY- Calgary police have formally charged a man in connection with the 2014 homicide of Maqsood Ahmed.
Nineteen-year-old Lloyd Kollie is charged with second-degree murder and robbery.
Kollie was taken into custody early Wednesday morning and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Meanwhile, the victim’s son says the family is still learning how to live without their father, calling the arrest “a bit of relief.”
“It has taken a bit of time…because I personally believe if you do any harm to somebody innocent, you can’t get away with it,” said Quamar Maqsood. “So for me, I know that my father was an innocent person.”
At about 9:40 p.m. on Oct. 8, 2014, Ahmed and a female co-worker were closing up a business in the 4700 block of Westwinds Drive N.E. Police say Ahmed was attacked by two men, stabbed and robbed of the cash he was carrying.
The 55-year-old was taken to hospital where he died of his injuries. The female employee was uninjured.
Police believe four people conspired to rob Ahmed with two involved in his death. Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm said police are working to lay charges against a second murder suspect.
“We’re working towards working with the Crown prosecutor’s office to determine if and when we have sufficient evidence to charge that individual,” said Chisholm.
Police don’t believe the suspects are involved in gang activity, and Chisholm suggested the death of Ahmed was not premeditated.
“It was a planned robbery that went bad and led to the murder of Mr. Maqsood.”
Ahmed’s family takes small comfort in knowing this was about money and not a personal attack on him.
“I had a concern that if the person knew us, personally, and I was told earlier the police believe they didn’t know our family,” said Maqsood. “It wasn’t against our family or anything; it was just about the money.”
Chisholm said Wednesday police recovered a bag from the scene of the robbery that was believed to have carried the stolen cash. Police have not yet located the money.
“We’re talking eight months ago now so who knows what happened to it?” said Chisholm.
READ MORE: Son of murdered Calgary businessman gives emotional plea for help
While the police investigation continues, Maqsood will try to carry on his father’s dream, running the Calgary Produce Market.
“Initially we wanted to sell it or leave it,” said Ahmed’s son. “In the beginning it wasn’t easy to make a decision—because of this business we lost our father, and didn’t want to lose another family member. But then the community from the northeast, whoever knew our father, they were very supportive in every way. They told us this was his dream; he built this, he put a lot of effort and hours into this, and we should keep it going.
“We have a lot to learn from him and he left a legacy, and we will try to carry on. I know we can’t match his personality or views, but we will try our best.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 403-266-1234, the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877 or Crime Stoppers.
READ MORE: Police release new details on stabbing death of Calgary businessman
With files from Nancy Hixt
Comments