Violent clashes between two rival groups led to a decade of bloodshed, claiming over 25 lives in public shootings across Calgary’s otherwise peaceful streets. CalgaryYes delves into the history of this brutal gang war.
How It All Began
The Calgary Police Chief once recounted that the rival gang members were originally friends. However, their involvement in the drug trade during the 1990s caused a rift, splitting the group into Fresh Off the Boat (FOB) and Fresh Off the Boat Killers (FK).
A patrol officer recalled the early days, where initial conflicts involved baseball bats and pipes. Tensions escalated, and firearms soon replaced blunt objects, resulting in public shootouts. This rivalry, fueled by Alberta’s booming economy, extended beyond the province, linking both gangs to criminal networks elsewhere.
Innocent bystanders were caught in the crossfire, sparking widespread fear and frustration among Calgary’s residents.
Nick Chan
Nick Chan, a notorious figure, led FOB, one of Calgary’s most violent criminal organizations. Under his leadership, FOB trafficked drugs and paid members to maim or kill their rivals.
Chan’s downfall began when police collaborated with members of his own gang and his estranged wife.
Little is known about Chan’s childhood, but by his teenage years, he and his younger brother, Tim, were already dealing drugs. They quickly scaled up their operations, selling large quantities and securing a foothold in Calgary’s drug trade.
Rising Tensions
One event that remains etched in Calgary’s memory occurred on January 1, 2009. A young man, Aaron Bendle, entered Bolsa Restaurant in southeast Calgary. At just 22, Bendle was a victim of a kidnapping plot. The meeting at Bolsa was part of a scheme to kill FK member Sanjeev Mann in retaliation for a prior shooting.
As diners enjoyed their meals, a hail of bullets shattered the peace. Forty-three-year-old bystander Keni Su’a was fatally shot in the parking lot. Mann and Bendle were also killed. Bendle was later revealed to have ties to drug trafficking.
This incident marked a turning point, underscoring that the rivalry between FOB and FK was no longer a hidden, nocturnal feud—it endangered everyone.
Eradicating the Rivalry
The Calgary Police Service intensified its efforts to eliminate the gang rivalry and reclaim the streets. Significant resources were allocated to dismantle FOB and FK, with police employing the following strategies:
- Maintaining direct contact with gang members.
- Utilizing an informant, known as “MM,” who was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony following a shooting.
- Persuading FOB gangster Hans Eastgaard to testify against his associates, allowing him to avoid prison.
- Conducting surveillance and wiretapping suspected gang leaders and members to build strong cases.
This collaborative effort among police officers and detectives thwarted at least six planned murders and dismantled another gang, 403 Soldiers, known for their use of explosives. Their original plans included detonating bombs in homes, a catastrophe that was narrowly avoided.
Many gang members ultimately expressed a desire to leave the lifestyle behind. Some requested transfers to prisons in other provinces, hoping for a fresh start far from the grip of their former gangs.
This violent chapter in Calgary’s history, though harrowing, serves as a testament to the city’s resilience and law enforcement’s determination to restore safety to its streets.