Murder charge laid after truck drives through people standing outside Alta. bar
Police have charged a Calgary man with first-degree murder after a pickup truck plowed through a group of people standing outside a bar early Friday.
One of those people, who police have identified as Nicholas Baier, 18, died.
Mounties say management at the Texas Mickey Bar in Olds, north of Calgary, asked a man to leave early Friday morning.
Police allege he then got into a Ford F-250 pickup truck and drove through a group of people who police believe had just left the bar.
RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb said the first-degree murder charge means investigators believe the truck driver's actions were premeditated, although Sgt. Webb points out it doesn't necessarily mean the driver targeted specific people.
"He was in a confrontation with several people inside the bar. Whether or not it was these specific people - the victims - remains to be identified as part of the investigation," Sgt. Webb said Saturday.
A 19-year-old in the group was injured and taken to hospital in Olds, but Sgt. Webb did not have an update on that person's condition. Two others received minor injuries.
Police said the truck drove away after hitting the group, and that an officer who was nearby followed, but abandoned the chase due to safety concerns. Officers later arrested a suspect who they say was trying to climb out of a pickup which had rolled onto its side.
Jeffrey Kevin Leinen, 24, of Calgary was to remain in custody until he appears in provincial court in Calgary on Monday morning to face the allegations against him.
In addition to the murder charge, Mr. Leinen also faces a charge of dangerous driving causing death, impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death, and other charges.
Mr. Baier, as well as the injured 19-year-old, were students at Olds College.
Some classes continued at the college on Friday, although Jordan Cleland, vice-president of advancement, said it was to direct people to counselling if needed.
Exams were cancelled for the day.