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Banff mourns the death of a young man known to his friends as “sweet baby Ethan” while trying to understand how someone so caring and kind could be murdered.

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Bunny Julius, owner of Melissa’s Missteak, where Enns-Goneau worked as a bartender, said his daughter’s boyfriend was with Enns-Goneau when he was killed early Friday. The two had gone into the Dancing Sasquatch bar on Banff Avenue for a drink before Enns-Goneau left to use the restroom. Minutes later, he was involved in a confrontation in the bathroom, where he was stabbed multiple times, Julius said. His friend and a bouncer at the bar ran to the restroom, where Julius said the friend performed CPR on Enns-Goneau until first responders arrived. Enns-Goneau later died at Mineral Springs Hospital. Enns-Goneau, 26, was born and raised in the Alberta resort. Julius said he never knew his employee had gotten into a fight and remains shocked by what happened.

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It is understood the two men had been inside the club for less than three minutes, not enough time for any conflict to develop. “It’s just incredible,” Julius said. “We just couldn’t believe that this could happen, especially to him.” On Saturday, RCMP said John-Christopher Arrizza, 22, of Banff, was charged with second-degree murder in Enns-Goneau’s death. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in Canmore court next Wednesday. Mounties were unable to confirm the events early Friday as their investigation continues. Julius doesn’t know Arrizza or how long he’s been in town. Banff certainly knew Ens-Gonot. He was well known around town, playing rugby and soccer while in high school and a goalie in hockey. He wanted to experience all that the countryside had to offer, like many who live there.

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His parents and brother still call Banff home. Enns-Goneau worked at Melissa’s for 13 years, starting as a busboy and becoming a waiter when he turned 18. He’s been bartending there for the past four to five years. “He was a happy person all the time, the most non-confrontational person I know,” Julius said. The Banff Bears Rugby Club said in a statement that while Enns-Goneau no longer played rugby, “he was a stalwart on the sidelines, supporting the club and his friends from the stands. “His loss is felt not only by the club but throughout the community,” the club said. Melissa King met Enns-Goneau five years ago when they worked together at Melissa’s Missteak and said friends called him Sweet Baby Ethan. “If you had met Ethan, even briefly, he would have treated you like his best friend,” King wrote in a statement she planned to read at a vigil Saturday night among friends in Banff.

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“I have never met anyone who held human dignity in higher esteem than he did. Ethan always did the right thing. He cared more about his family and friends than himself and made sure we all knew how loved we were every day.” James Fraser, director of media and marketing for the Banff Hospitality Collective which runs Dancing Sasquatch, said the business is cooperating with the RCMP investigation and working with Bow Valley Victim Services to offer assistance and counseling to those affected by the tragedy. A notice on the Dancing Sasquatch website said the bar is closed until further notice. Melissa’s Missteak was closed Friday but partially reopened Saturday for service as staff tried to cope with the loss of their friend. On Friday, the restaurant and bar served as a gathering place for them as a place to grieve and be together.

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“There was absolutely no reason behind it,” Julius said. “And I think that’s what people try to wrap their heads around, like it’s not a controversy. It wasn’t a fight.” Enns-Goneau’s killing marks the first homicide in Banff since May 1990, when Lucie Turmel, a 23-year-old taxi driver, was killed by Ryan Jason Love, who is serving 20 years for the crime. Friday’s homicide shocked the small tourism-focused town of about 8,900 people, best known as one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. In a video statement Friday, Mayor Corrie DiManno said many in the community knew Enns-Goneau. “We are shocked, angry and devastated that a senseless act has deprived a beloved local man of the prime of his life,” he said. Julius said the violence usually comes to Banff from the bigger cities, not often from those who live in the city. He said Melissa’s will review its own security measures, but he’s not sure how this could have been prevented. King said in her grief, she is at a loss for what happened, but will learn from how Enns-Goneau lived his life. “We can always move forward remembering Ethan’s legacy, which is to treat everyone like they’re your best friend, hug your friends a little tighter, and always tell people you love them.” [email protected] Twitter: @JoshAldrich03

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