Two Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Calgary Homicide

Two individuals have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Samuel Mulugeta, who was found unresponsive in downtown Calgary on January 12, 2023. The suspects, Jennifer Lee Caswell, 43, and Steven Morris Firingstoney, 41, were apprehended by the Calgary Police Service this week. Both individuals have extensive histories of violent offenses, according to court records.

Police responded to the scene in the 700 block of 5th Street S.W. at approximately 05:20 AM after a passerby discovered Mulugeta lying on the sidewalk. An autopsy later confirmed that the 34-year-old victim died as a result of an assault. Initially, investigators suspected that Mulugeta might have known his attackers, as he was believed to have interacted with a group of individuals on the nearby 3rd Street S.W. CTrain platform shortly before his death.

In a statement released by police, they noted, “In the brief interaction between the victim and the group, it is believed Samuel was robbed of his belongings and suffered an injury, later resulting in his death.” However, authorities have since revised their assessment, indicating that Mulugeta may not have been acquainted with his assailants.

Both suspects have faced serious legal repercussions in the past. Firingstoney has a lengthy criminal record that includes convictions for carrying a concealed weapon and assault. Notably, he was charged in 2015 with multiple offenses related to an attack on a 75-year-old man in Westaskiwin, including attempted murder, though the outcome of those charges remains unclear.

Caswell, meanwhile, was convicted in 2020 for assault causing bodily harm in a case linked to a homicide in Red Deer. She had initially been charged with the murder of her victim’s partner, but those allegations were withdrawn by the Crown.

Both Caswell and Firingstoney are scheduled to appear in court later this month to face the charges stemming from Mulugeta’s death. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing violent crime in urban areas, highlighting the complex interplay between criminal history and current offenses.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community remains attentive to the implications of this case for public safety and the justice system.