Calgary

Police looking for suspect after charges laid in deadly restaurant shooting

Calgary police said Filimon Asmelash Asfiha, 34, has been charged with second-degree murder and is wanted on Canada-wide warrants.

Canada-wide warrants issued for suspect

A mug shot of a man in his 30s.
Calgary police said Filimon Asmelash Asfiha, pictured, has been charged with second-degree murder and is now wanted on Canada-wide warrants. (Submitted by Calgary Police Service)

Calgary police have laid charges in last month's deadly shooting at the Ambassador Restaurant and Bar in southeast Calgary.

Police said Filimon Asmelash Asfiha, 34, has been charged with second-degree murder and is now wanted on Canada-wide warrants.

Officers responded to the scene around 4:40 a.m. on Aug. 21 after receiving reports of gunshots at the restaurant, located in the 3500 block of 17th Ave. S.E.

According to police, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds and they began life-saving measures. However, the man died at the scene. 

Last week, Calgary police identified the victim as 35-year-old Temesgen Tesfatsion. Police believe it was a targeted shooting, but they don't think Tesfatsion was the intended target.

"We believe someone was being targeted that night, however, we believe Temesgen was an innocent victim in this tragic event and not the intended target," said Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson in a statement on Thursday.

"We offer our deepest condolences to Temesgen's friends and family and are doing all we can to locate the accused."

Police said they were called to the Ambassador Restaurant and Bar in Radisson Heights around 4:40 a.m. on August 21 for reports of gunshots. (Helen Pike/CBC)

Police said they identified Asfiha as a suspect after reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses.

He is described as standing five feet 11 inches, with a medium build and short black hair. 

"We would like to thank community members for coming forward to support our investigation," said Gregson.

"We know citizens are upset and angry with the recent violence we have seen in our city and appreciate their support with moving this investigation forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.