On Sunday, April 21, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., a man entered the east parking lot of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Roman Catholic Parish located in Calgary’s northeast, on 1714 14th Avenue N.E. According to the Calgary Police Service (CPS), the male individual deliberately set fire to a nativity display. The fire was quickly extinguished by the fire department, but not before causing significant damage to the church.
The CPS describes the suspect as a male between 20 and 40 years of age, approximately six feet tall, with a heavy build. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a neon-yellow belt, black gloves, grey sweatpants, black running shoes, and a black backpack. He was last seen fleeing the scene on foot, heading west on 14th Avenue Northeast and then south into an alley between 16th Street Northeast and 16A Street Northeast.
The motive for the arson remains unknown. The CPS requests anyone residing in the Mayland Heights community who may possess CCTV footage from approximately 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, to come forward. They are asked to contact the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers.
This incident has raised concerns within the community, and the CPS is actively investigating to identify and apprehend the suspect. They urge anyone with information to cooperate with the investigation.
