A 23-year old-man is in custody after what police are calling “the worst mass murder in Calgary’s history.”
Five people — four men and one woman — were fatally stabbed at about 1:20 a.m. April 15. The incident occurred at a northwest Calgary house party celebrating the end of the school year, according to police.
The suspect, Matthew de Grood, is a student at the University of Calgary and the son of a 30-year veteran police officer, according to Calgary Police chief Rick Hanson.
Hanson said at a press conference that the attacker was unprovoked.
“The suspect arrived at the party, obtained a large knife, and targeted the victims one by one, stabbing them several times,” Hanson said. “We understand the party was for friends and people of the university and the suspect was an invited guest.”
Three men were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others in critical, life-threatening condition were taken to hospital where they later died, according to Hanson.
One other person suffered minor injuries.
Names of victims will not be released until autopsies are complete, police said.
Hanson said the victims and de Grood had no past history with the police before this incident. He said the suspect likely arrived at the party directly from work, and there was no evidence de Grood had consumed drugs or alcohol.
The University of Calgary is offering support to anyone affected by the incident through its Wellness Centre, according to a press release.
“This is a very shocking and tragic day for our students and our entire university family,” university president Elizabeth Cannon said. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this unimaginable and senseless tragedy.”
The Canadian flag at the university is at half-mast. A community gathering was held on campus, co-hosted by the undergraduate student union, the Graduate Students’ Association, and university administration.
De Grood has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder.
