Banff restaurant employee killed as he used washroom, jurors hear at start of murder trial

A murder trial began Thursday for a young man accused of killing a Banff restaurant employee who was fatally stabbed while using the washroom at a bar 

John Christopher Arrizza, 24, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ethan Enns-Goneau, 26, who was killed in the early morning hours of Aug. 5, 2022.

Details of the killing come from an agreed statement of facts (ASF) and opening statement, both delivered by prosecutor Ron Simenik Thursday morning. 

Jurors heard that on the night of Aug. 4, Enns-Goneau finished his shift at Melissa's MisSteak, a restaurant in Banff, and met up with friends. 

Video of stabbing 

The group bar hopped, stopping at several locations before they ended up at the Dancing Sasquatch Bar around 1:30 a.m.

As soon as he got there, Enns-Goneau headed to the basement restroom while his friend Bobby Lavery headed to the bar "expecting Ethan to join him momentarily," said prosecutor Ron Simenik in his opening statement to the jury.

Just 78 seconds after entering the bathroom, CCTV footage shows Enns-Goneau being pushed out of the restroom by Arrizza "who is then seen stabbing him three times: twice to the chest and once to his side or back," according to an agreed statement of facts (ASF) read aloud by Simenik.

Bar staff rushed to help 

The victim's pants were around his knees and he was still wearing his backpack.

Bouncers at the Dancing Sasquatch rushed to Enns-Goneau, who was injured and bleeding.

Other bar staff confronted Arrizza, who was still holding the knife, according to the ASF. 

A bouncer disarmed Arrizza and held him until police arrived. 

Meanwhile, bar staff, police and a paramedic "did what they could" to save Enns-Goneau.

Paramedics arrived and took over CPR but Enns-Goneau was pronounced dead just after 2 a.m. at the local hospital. 

Arrizza has admitted to killing Enns-Goneau but the issue is whether he's guilty of murder. His lawyer is Katherin Beyak. 

Court of King's Bench Justice Robert Hall is presiding over the seven-day trial.