Calgary

Man charged in fatal assault at Alpha House on New Year's Eve

One man has been charged after a fatal fight inside the Alpha House on Dec. 31.

The victim appeared to be OK, but staff at the shelter found him in medical distress the next morning

Staff at the Alpha House called police after the assault, but the victim said it wasn't necessary and staff believed he was OK. (Calgary Alpha House Society/Facebook)

One man has been charged after a fatal fight inside the Alpha House on the last day of 2019.

Calgary police say staff at the shelter called police around 6:50 p.m. on New Year's Eve to report an assault, but cancelled the call shortly after at the request of the victim. Barry Cecil Currie, 30. Staff believed the man was OK.

"The next morning, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Alpha House staff found the victim in medical distress and contacted emergency medical services. He was taken to hospital, but later succumbed to his injuries," according to a news release. 

Police were alerted after an autopsy determined that Currie had died from injuries suffered during the assault. 

Dwayne Bearspaw, 27, was arrested on Jan. 22, according to police, and has been charged with one count of manslaughter.