A suspicious death that occurred in the northwest community of Arbour Lake on Thursday evening is now being investigated as a homicide, Calgary police said.
Police received a call about an injured man in the greenspace near the 100 block of Arbour Meadows Close N.W. When they arrived, they discovered a teen had died.
An autopsy took place on Friday and the victim has been identified as Jal Acor Jal. He was 16 years old.
Area resident Noah Simon went to investigate when his brother noticed something in the field behind their house.
Simon said he thought somebody was just lying down.
“At first I thought it was someone sleeping, but as I got closer I could see the blood. I walked over as close as I could and I tried to do something, just yell at them to see if they were unconscious, but nothing happened.”
That’s when he called the police.
“I don’t like this for my city, for my neighbourhood for that matter,” he added. “This is unsettling.”
Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson of the CPS’ homicide unit said the file is “shocking.”
“This is a shocking file as the victim is so young… We continue to investigate and are interested in hearing from anyone who may know of the victim’s movements and who may have been with him last night,” he said in an emailed press release on Friday.
Investigators are looking for any information about suspicious activity in the area between 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday night, specifically the 100 block of Arbour Meadows Close N.W., the 200 block of Schubert Place N.W., and 100 and 200 blocks of Scenic View Close N.W.
Residents are asked to check their security cameras and property.
Anyone with information about this suspicious death is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be left anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
–With files from Paula Tran, 770 CHQR