Peter Nassichuk's death from fight outside Copperfield liquor store leads to homicide charge

A single punch to the head in a fight outside a liquor store in March felled a37-year-old Calgary man. Now, weeks later, police have declared it homicide and taken a man into custody.

On March 24, three men fought outside a liquor store in the southeast community of Copperfield around 11 p.m.

The suspectis accused of punchingPeterNassichuk, who lost consciousness and hit his head on the pavement.

Nassichukdied in hospital from his injuries on April 11.

The assault investigation was upgraded and the homicide unit became involved.

The suspect's identity won't be released until he's been formally charged.

Nassichuk was described in his obituary as a "free spirited person" who enjoyed painting, skateboardingand playingsports with his niece and nephew.

This is Calgary's fifth homicide of 2016.

It's not the only case of a single punch leading to someone's death in the city.

In 2012,Scott Hooser was charged with manslaughter in the one-punch death of Brian Ludwig outside a southwest pub. That charge was stayed by the Crown in 2014 because of insufficient evidence.

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