CALGARY — Police say a murder-suicide in a Medicine Hat, Alta., home stemmed from a dispute between two men and was the result of what the victim’s father described as a jealous rage.

Emergency crews went to the home Friday after receiving a call from a woman inside saying a man had been shot.

They arrived at about 8 p.m., to find Aaron Matthew Eremenko clinging to life.

The 44-year-old died a short time later in hospital.

Uncertain of where the gunman might be, police called for a tactical team to ensure the scene was safe before going inside to find the body of 54-year-old Donald Wayne Neufeld, who lived in the home.

Authorities believe Neufeld killed Eremenko before turning a handgun on himself.

The woman who called for help is believed to be Neufeld’s former wife who was dating Eremenko.

She was uninjured.

“This is a jealous ex-husband,” said Eremenko’s father, Nick, who was told the details following his son’s death.

“Guys are flipping out like this all the time, that’s how they handle it.”

Medicine Hat police Insp. Glen Motz said alcohol may have been a factor — the two men were drinking together before the situation escalated.

“From what I understand he (Eremenko) went there earlier in the evening,” said Motz, who declined to offer details about the confrontation.

Motz said whatever fuelled it doesn’t justify the end results.

“Anytime there is a loss of life it is tragic,” he said.

“Is anything worth killing someone over?”

Caroline Eberle, who lives a few doors down, watched police for hours as they stood outside the home shouting for the man inside to come out.

Police confirmed they did negotiate for some time. but never had any contact from inside the home.
It is believed Neufeld killed himself shortly before they arrived.

Eremenko had three children who didn’t live with him and two brothers, one of them a twin, his father said.

“We lost contact and I hadn’t seen him in a while,” he said.

“He kind of went his own way.”

Medicine Hat is about 295 km southeast of Calgary.