Calgary police task force concludes investigation of 150-person skirmish, rioting charges laid

The Calgary Police Service's investigative task force has concluded its formal investigation of a 150-person clash linked to tensions between opposing Eritrean community groups that occurred last September in the northeast.

In a Wednesday news release, police said 28 people have now been charged. The 63 total charges included rioting, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and assault with a weapon.

Police said the task force was created days after the Sept. 2 melee in Falconridge. The goal was to identify and charge persons of interest involved in violence and property damage.

The formal investigation has concluded, but if more information arises, "further charges may still occur," police said.

"Over the course of four and a half months, our members have worked relentlessly to identify individuals involved in one of Calgary's largest violent incidents," reads a statement from Chief Mark Neufeld.

"Similar incidents have occurred in other jurisdictions in Canada and beyond. At this point, we are the only Canadian police agency to have laid rioting charges against those who participated."