Police have charged a 19-year-old Calgary man in connection with the shooting death of Calgary Stampeder Mylan Hicks.
Hicks, 23, was gunned down at Marquee Beer Market early Sunday morning.
READ MORE: Calgary Stampeder Mylan Hicks dead after Calgary nightclub shooting
Police said they were called to the nightclub, located in the 4600 block of Macleod Trail South, at around 2:30 a.m. MDT.
Hicks was rushed to hospital where he later died.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, the vice president of operations at Marquee Beer Market said the establishment is shocked and “profoundly saddened” by Hicks’ death.
“Our thoughts, sympathies and prayers are with his family, friends, teammates, and his many fans across North America,” Jeremiah Jurcic said.
“We are working closely with the police to provide information that can help determine the events that led to the senseless act of violence that took place in our parking lot. The security protocols that are in place, such as ID scans and pat downs for all patrons entering our facility, as well as the professionalism of our staff, will hopefully lead to swift justice for the perpetrator of this horrendous crime”
Jurcic said Marquee Beer Market will continue to review and enhance its security measures to ensure patron safety.
Three suspects were taken into custody at the time of the shooting.
On Monday, police announced Nelson Tony Lugela had been charged with second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
“He was known to police,” Major Crimes Insp. Don Coleman said Monday afternoon, adding Lugela had several warrants out for his arrest. Coleman couldn’t say what the warrants were for.
The two other suspects have been released from custody pending further investigation.
READ MORE: Stampeders remember teammate Mylan Hicks as team player with bright future
Police said a vehicle believed to be used by the suspects was found in the 4000 block of Stanley Place S.W. on Sunday.
“The vehicle has been seized and is currently being processed by the Forensic Crime Scene Unit.”
Police believe the shooting happened following an altercation inside the nightclub but it’s not known what started the initial altercation or if Hicks was involved.
“I don’t know for sure, other than the fact there was an altercation that involved several people inside the nightclub and was believed to have been over. Then, once the bar lets out, the altercation continued and was escalated in the parking lot,” Coleman said.
“I don’t know that Mr. Hicks was targeted in any way… or if he was involved specifically to the altercation inside.”
Coleman said a firearm was recovered at the scene and work is being done to determine if it was the weapon used in the shooting.
A number of witnesses have been interviewed by police, including members of the Stampeders who were at the bar at the time of the incident, Coleman said.
“There was several witnesses, probably upwards of 20 or more witnesses that were interviewed over the span of yesterday,” Coleman explained. “We’ve gained some cooperation from all parties involved, with the exception of the accused in this matter.”
“It is not yet known what started the initial altercation,” police said. “But the investigation continues.”
Officers believe a number of people may have recorded video of the incident on their cellphones.
Anyone with photos or videos is asked to call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877, or contact Crime Stoppers.
WATCH: Calgary police give details on the death of Mylan Hicks
With files from Nancy Hixt.
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