The man killed in what police describe as a self-defence incident in Edgemont last week had a lengthy history of interactions with the justice system, including a prior trial for a knife attack on a senior. Shahbaz Ahmed, 48, was killed on Friday, Jan. 9, while attacking a woman at a rental property. Police say the victim was “lured” to the home under the “false pretence of a property showing.” Ahmed had an active warrant for his arrest at the time of his death. Despite several serious charges in his past, Ahmed had few criminal convictions. Harold Heninger says news of Ahmed’s death brings back the trauma of June 16, 2023. Heninger was attempting to sell an antique car when he says Ahmed, acting as a prospective buyer, held a knife to his throat. “He was yelling and screaming at my wife that, ‘If you don’t give me your keys and your cellphone, I’m going to kill Harold,’” Heninger said. Heninger says he managed to break free and reach safety with the help of a bystander, who called 911. Previous acquittals raise questions Following the 2023 incident, the RCMP charged Ahmed with eight offences. However, he was found not guilty on all counts. The reasons for that verdict remain unclear, as Justice Karen Molle’s decision was not published. The Crown is declining to comment on the acquittal, saying only that there were no legal errors identified to justify an appeal. Doug King, a justice studies professor at Mount Royal University, says the case raises questions about the prosecution process. “I think the correct question is, why were so many charges laid against the individual, and there was no determination of guilt in those cases?” King said. Active warrant and past convictions At the time of the fatal encounter in Edgemont, CPS tell us Ahmed was wanted on a warrant for an unpaid fine related to driving without insurance in September of 2025. The warrant was issued in November of 2025. Ahmed also previously plead guilty to mischief for property damage under $5,000 stemming from an incident in 2022. In that same case, he was found not guilty of assault with a weapon. Further records indicate Ahmed was sentenced in 2021 for a breach of probation stemming from an earlier assault charge that year. Heninger, who says he has “lost a lot of sleep for two and a half years” following his encounter with Ahmed, is frustrated the man remained at large. “He should have been in a remand centre right to the end,” Heninger said. “He’s dangerous.” Investigation ongoing Calgary police have not yet confirmed if they were actively seeking to arrest Ahmed on the outstanding warrant prior to last week’s incident. Regarding last week’s incident, police say Ahmed’s death has been deemed a non-culpable homicide, and no charges will be laid. On Tuesday, acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson called it “easily the most clear-cut case of self-defence that I have ever been involved in.” With files from Teri Fikowski and Damien Wood
