Banff bar altercation leaves one man dead, another in custody

RCMP say a 26-year-old man is dead after an altercation at a Banff nightclub early Friday morning.

Police were called just before 2:30 a.m. to a drinking establishment on Banff Avenue — the Dancing Sasquatch, CBC News has learned — where an injured local man was found.

He was taken to hospital but was declared deceased.

A 22-year-old man was taken into custody at the scene, RCMP said in a statement Friday afternoon.

Alberta RCMP's major crimes unit has taken over the investigation.

More details are expected soon, police said.

'Never used to be like this'

The mayor of the mountain town says the tight-knit community is reeling.

"We are shocked, angry and heartbroken that a senseless act has robbed us of a cherished Banffite," Corrie DiManno said in a statement.

"We mourn this immense loss with all who knew and loved him."

Tristan Pollack, who's lived in Banff for four years, says the level of safety in town changed this summer. 

"Never used to be like this. You'd be able to walk around the street perfectly safe," he said. 

"Everyone was looking out for you."

Pollack said he didn't know the victim personally, but he has friends and co-workers who knew the man well. 

"He was one of the most wholesome guys you could ever meet. It's crazy that this would ever happen to anyone like him," Pollack said. 

The community has come together to support each other in the aftermath of the event, Pollack said, and they hope things will get better. 

"I don't want this stuff to happen here," he said. "We want this to be a safe spot for everyone to enjoy the mountains."