Police are investigating after an injured and unconscious woman was found in a southwest Calgary backyard early Saturday morning.
She was found at around 2:45 a.m. and the alley behind a home in the 600 block of 68 Avenue S.W. remained taped off in the afternoon as police searched the area for evidence.
Neighbours said they woke up to the sound of sirens and people yelling.
“My bedroom is at the back so I heard it from the alley,” said Griffin Wagar. “Nothing really intelligible. Just shouting and raising voices mostly.”
The woman was found suffering life-threatening injuries to her face and head.
“This morning, I noticed the alley was blocked off on both ends with police tape everywhere,” said area resident Cody Keegan. “I know there’s been a lot of stuff around this area lately.”
Kingsland residents say they’re not entirely surprised by Saturday’s violent incident. On Jan. 3, a man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a suspected home invasion just a few doors down on 68 Avenue S.W.
“There was a break-in over here just like a month ago where the guy… got beaten very horribly,” Wagar said.
“Honestly, in this neighbourhood, it’s pretty normal.”
On Jan. 28, 2018, a man was shot and killed by police at an apartment, also on the same avenue.
“There is just always people drunk or on drugs, people fighting all the time. There’s always cops in the neighborhood,” said Wagar, who has lived in the area for four years. “Mostly in the last year or two, it’s been getting a lot worse.”
In October 2017, a man died after being assaulted at an apartment just one block over on 67 Avenue S.W.
“It’s been a little ridiculous,” said Keegan. “Crimes have been getting pretty bad around here. Lots of break and enters, lots of cars getting broken into. You definitely have to make sure everything is locked up tight.”
It’s unclear if the woman lives at the house where she was found. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.