CALGARY - A 19-year-old Sundre male McDonald’s employee was killed by a neck wound struck by a fellow employee with a 17-inch machete early on the morning of July 4, 2022, the accused’s Court of King’s Bench trial heard Monday.
Solaimane Elbettah faces a first degree murder charge in the death of Josh Burns, 19.
In an agreed statement of facts read into court, Crown prosecutor Vince Pingitore said the accused brought the weapon into the restaurant and used it to kill Burns.
The two men were the only people working at the Sundre restaurant at the time, with only the drive-thru open.
A video surveillance recording from inside the restaurant was also played Monday morning. It shows the accused pull the machete out of a bag, walk towards the accused, and in less than a minute, walk back into the frame, put the machete back into the bag and leave the restaurant.
The actual attack was not shown on the video.
The accused was arrested nearby a short time later and the victim was declared dead on scene.
Family members of the victim are in court watching the proceedings.
Justice Glen Poelman is presiding over the trial, which is scheduled to run until at least next week.
