Calgary volunteer basketball coach killed in 'random crime' after defending friend

A man who volunteered countless hours to coach basketball and served with organizations to make Calgary "a better place" was shot down by a strangeroutside a downtown nightclub while defending a female friend from unwanted sexual advances, police say.

John Mitchell Smith Jr., 31, who had made Calgary home for years after moving from Washington to play college basketball, was a victim of a "random crime," police said in a statement Wednesday as they released images of the suspect and appealed for the public's help.

"Helping his friend cost him his life and we will do everything we can to bring his killer to justice," said Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta with theCalgary Police Service homicide unit said in the release.

Police were called to Junction Underground nightclub, which is located on Eighth Avenue S.W., just before 2:45 a.m. Sunday for reports that someone had been shot outside the bar. At thattime, police transported Smith to hospital, where he died shortly later.

Police believe Smith left the nightclub with a femalefriend around 2:30 a.m.when two men, who were loitering outside, started making unwanted sexual advancesand physical contact with the woman.

Smith intervened and a man shot him.

The attacker also accidentally shot the man who was with him, police said. The second manfled the scene in a black Mercedes sedan with B.C. licence plates and drove himself to Foothills Medical Centre, police said. He'snot co-operating with the investigation.

Police say the shooter fled the scene east along EighthAvenue S.W.

'Brilliant, funny, talented, drivenandauthentically himself'

Police also shared a statement on behalf of Smith's family.

"John was not only a brother andson, but our best friend. He had a heart of gold, was brilliant, funny, talented, drivenandauthentically himself. He was truly a revolutionary embodiment of Black joy. He made everyone around him feel seen, heardandempowered to self love. He was a protector," Smith'sfamily said in a statement.

"John excelled on andoff the court. He was a mentor andtrainer to youth in the States andCalgary. He was also the president of the Black andIndigenous Student Union anda budding model. He planned on returning to SAIT[Southern Alberta Institute of Technology] to finish his degree in business administration andplay his final season of basketball.

"We are devastated by his passing. A huge piece of us is gone. Our family is forever broken. He is left behind by his family andgirlfriend, whom he truly loved."

Police release photos of suspect

Police say the suspect is shorter than six feet tall, with a visible tattoo on his neck and dark, wavy hair. He was wearing a white Nike tracksuit top, blue jeans and white runners.

Police say anyone with information on the homicide, or the suspect's identity, can call the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.

Investigatorsalso wantto hear from anyone withdashcam, cellphone or CCTV photos or video from the area that night especially if it seems to capture the suspect or the black Mercedes.