Editor's note: This article originally published at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5 has been updated to reflect the latest information released by the RCMP.
SUNDRE — A local male has been charged with first degree murder after the Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch was called in yesterday to assist with an investigation at the McDonald’s in town.
Shortly after midnight on July 4, members of the Sundre RCMP detachment responded to a call about a homicide at the local business.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers subsequently located the deceased body of Sundre resident Josh Burns, 19, police said in a press release issued earlier this morning, July 5.
The suspect was found nearby and taken into custody without incident, said police.
Solaimane Elbettah, 27, of Sundre, has been charged with first degree murder.
In a follow-up phone interview with the Albertan, Cpl. Gina Slaney, Alberta RCMP Southern Alberta District media relations officer, said the two had an existing history.
“They were known to each other,” said Slaney.
There at no time was any danger to the public at large, she said.
Investigators believe the attack was “planned or deliberate,” but Slaney could not disclose either the kind of weapon involved or potential motive.
“It’ll come out in court,” she said.
The corporal also could not immediately officially confirm whether either of the males were employees at the business.
Elbettah has been remanded into custody and will be appearing tomorrow (Wednesday, July 6) in Canmore Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m.
