RCMP officials confirm 19-year-old Josh Burns was found dead shortly after midnight on July 4 when officers responded to reports of a homicide at a local business.
Solaimane Elbettah, 27, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Burns’ death.
Both the victim and the accused are residents of Sudre, a town about 100 kilometers north of Calgary, but neither is from the city.
Friends of the deceased confirm that Burns was from the town of Innisfail but had moved to Sundre for work. He had been working at McDonald’s for about a month after leaving his job at Integra Tire.
As of Monday afternoon, the McDonald’s in Sandre had a sign in the window saying it was closed and drive-thru was blocked off by crime scene tape. The restaurant remained closed on Tuesday.
McDonald’s Canada released the following statement Tuesday afternoon on behalf of the franchisee:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic situation that occurred at our restaurant in Sundre. We are cooperating fully with the RCMP in their investigation. In addition, support services will be provided to all employees at this restaurant.
“As this is an active investigation, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
Elbettah remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Canmore Provincial Court on Wednesday.
