Accused in triple homicide free on bail before New Year's shooting

A Calgary man charged with first-degree murder in a gang-related attack was released on bail with a weapons prohibition just three days before the New Year's Day shooting.

Real Christian Honorio, 25, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder Tuesday morning in connection with the fatal shooting at the Bolsa Vietnamese Restaurant on the afternoon of Jan. 1.

Sanjeev Mann, 22, described by police as a known gang member, and Aaron Bendle, 21, called an associate of Mann's, died when three men opened fire in the southeast restaurant located in a strip mall.

The third victim, Keni Su'a, 43, was also eating in the establishment and tried to escape but was gunned down in the parking lot. Police said the attackers beat him before he died.

Honorio was one of five people arrested on Dec. 22 and charged with a combined 138 drugs and weapons offences.

Released under weapons ban

"Investigators believe those charged have ties to organized crime and gangs in Calgary and area," police said at the time.

Officers found four homemade bombs, along with loaded firearms, ammunition and hashish, cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy in a raid on a home in Heritage Pointe, just south of Calgary city limits. Police also uncovered a sophisticated video surveillance system in the house on Heritage Lake Mews.

Honorio was freed on $2,000 bail on Dec. 29, 2008. Justice of the peace J.J. Ogle ordered a weapons ban as part of Honorio's release conditions.

Honorio is accused of fatally shooting Mann, Bendle and Su'a less than a week later. He was arrested without incident Monday in the city's northwest and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Calgary police said.

"This investigation isn't closed with the arrest of one person," police spokesman Kevin Brookwell said Monday.

More than 20 homicides in Calgary have been connected with a violent feud between two gangs — Fresh Off the Boat (FOB) and the FOB Killers (FK) — since 2002.

Alberta Justice Minister Alison Redford congratulated Calgary police on Honorio's arrest. She said the province is continuing to push the federal government to make it tougher for suspects to get bail.

"We think there need to be amendments to the Criminal Code with respect to bail tests," Redford told CBC News on Tuesday. "As long as we continue to have the public discussion and ensure that the federal government understands what we need in order to do our part as partners in this, that we'll be successful at the end of the day but there are certainly challenges."

"It won't bring their son back," said Pastor Kelvin Block, speaking for the Bendle family. "Each time these things happen, it again reminds them of the reality of their loss, but they are glad the police have been able to move forward on this."