2 Calgary men elevated on national list of most wanted fugitives

Two fugitives wanted by Calgary police for murder and manslaughter have been elevated on a list of Canada's 25 most wanted criminals.

Kier Bryan Granado, 25, is now in the No. 2 spot on the Bolo Program's list.

Calgary police teamed up last year with the Bolo Program, which is an outside organization that amplifies police requests for public assistance on most-wanted cases.

In co-operation with Calgary Crime Stoppers, the Bolo Program offers large cash rewards that can be claimed anonymously for any information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

A reward of up to $100,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Granado.

He is wanted for a homicide that took place almost seven years ago in northeast Calgary.

Hussein Merhi, 26, died after he was shot in an alley in the 100 block of Del Ray Road N.E. in Monterey Park on Dec. 13, 2015.

A dark SUV was seen fleeing the area after the shooting.

In July 2019, Joseph Trieu, 26, was charged with one count of accessory after the fact to murder.

Investigators are still searching for Granado as a second suspect. He is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for first-degree murder. 

It is believed Merhi's killing was a targeted attack as Granado and the victim knew each other, police said. 

Granado is described as five feet tall, weighing about 80 pounds, with brown eyes and a full sleeve tattoo on his left arm. 

Talal Amer No. 6 on list 

A reward of up to $50,000 is available for information leading to the arrest of Talal Amer, who is now in the sixth spot on the Bolo Program's list. 

The 29-year-old Calgary man is wanted on seven Canada-wide warrants, including manslaughter and attempted murder in connection with a car chase and shooting in the city's southeast on May 10, 2022, that killed a mother of five.

Amer is accused of chasing and shooting at a man who was driving a Volkswagen Jetta. The incident led to two uninvolved vehicles being struck in a Forest Lawn intersection.

Angela McKenzie, 40, died in the crash, leaving behind five children, who had lost their father three months earlier.

"A man, a person who didn't know her, took Angela's life away from all of us," Sylvia McKenzie, the victim's mother, said at a press conference Tuesday.

"His rage, and attempt to kill someone else, ended up killing my daughter." 

She said the news of her Angela's death was devastating.

"Imagine, just for a moment, that you are at home comfortable in the evening, and there's a knock on the door, and you answer and you are told someone you love deeply has been killed," she said.

"Go one step further, and imagine it's one of your children. And a few hours later, you have to tell your grandchildren 'mum's not coming home anymore.'"

Documents from the Parole Board of Canada revealed that Amer had finished serving a sentence for firearm and drug crimes a few days before the violent incident that claimed McKenzie's life.

Amer is described as five feet 11 inches and 230 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. 

"This death of Angela McKenzie was tragic and will continue to have a lasting impact on Calgarians," said Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson of the Calgary Police Service's homicide unit.

"We are committed to doing everything within our power to locate Talal Amer and ensure that he is held accountable."