A 22-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a central Edmonton store owner who was fatally injured on Wednesday afternoon.
In a news release Thursday, Edmonton police announced that an arrest had been made in the death of Sukhjit Randhawa, 48.
Nicholas Butler-Chowace has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing, police said.
Randhawa died Wednesday after downtown patrol officers were called to reports of an injured man in the area of 112th Avenue and 82nd Street.
Upon arrival at around 1 p.m., officers found Randhawa suffering from serious injuries
He was treated at the scene and taken to hospital, but later died of his injuries.
An autopsy was completed Wednesday and Randhawa’s death was formally ruled a homicide. Police said they are withholding the cause of death for investigative reasons.
Varinder Bhullar, a local entrepreneur and a member of Edmonton’s South Asian community, said there has been an outpouring of condolences for Randhawa.
Bhullar told CBC News that Randhawa owned and operated the Connect Liquor store at 11266 82 Street in the Cromdale neighbourhood. The small family business located in the same area where police found Randhawa fatally injured.
He said Randhawa, known to friends and customers as Sunny, was a well-known member of the business community and his death has raised public safety concerns.
Bhullar said funeral arrangements have been made and a memorial service will be held at the Edmonton Crematorium and Funeral Home on August 12.
Investigators with the EPS Homicide Section are leading the investigation but said they are not seeking any additional suspects at this time.