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Update: Sundre male facing first degree murder charge in death of local teen

RCMP Serious Crimes Branch called into investigate homicide at Sundre McDonald’s
MVT-RCMP at Sundre McDonalds
An RCMP cruiser was parked on the morning of Monday, July 4 in front of the Sundre McDonald's, where the main entrance was closed off with police tape. Members of the Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch were called into assist with the investigation. Dan Singleton/MVP Staff

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.


Simon Ducatel

About the Author: Simon Ducatel

Simon Ducatel joined Mountain View Publishing in 2015 after working for the Vulcan Advocate since 2007, and graduated among the top of his class from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology's journalism program in 2006.
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