Calgary police seeking witnesses in the homicide of Russell David Younker

The 2021 Calgary Homicide Victim List is available here

Calgary police said an altercation occurred between two people on the west side of 11 Street S.W., at the Ctrain tracks near the Kerby Centre on April 15th at approximately 6:20pm.

Russell David Younker, 42, was stabbed during the altercation and was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries. The suspect fled on foot.

Police are looking to speak with two people who may have information that would be valuable to the investigation. A video of the potential female witness can be seen HERE, and photos of the male witness can be seen HERE and HERE.

Anyone with information on the identities of these individuals is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 403-428-8877, or the CPS non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. 

Update May 11th 2021
A tip from the public assisted investigators in identifying one of the individuals as Christopher MATHERS, 34. Police said Mathers is a suspect in the death of Russell Younker, and is wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant for second-degree murder. Police attempted to locate the suspect, to learn the man had moved out of his residence and possibly left the province.

Police said Mathers has connections in London, Ont., and Halifax, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. He is described as 6’1” tall, approximately 220 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. A photo of Mathers can be seen HERE.

Calgary police said “Investigators have spoken with some of the witnesses identified in the CCTV images and believe they were not involved in the altercation. However, they are still looking to speak with a man who was seen wearing a blue hoodie with a red logo on the front, a baseball cap, sunglasses and a backpack.”

Anyone with information on MATHERS whereabouts is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 403-428-8877.

Update: On Thursday, May 14, 2021, MATHERS turned himself in to the Salmon Arm RCMP detachment. He was arrested on the Canada-wide warrant for the murder of YOUNKER that occurred on Thursday, April 15, 2021.