McDonald's employee found dead in Sundre restaurant, coworker charged in death

A first-degree murder charge has been laid against a McDonald's employee after the body of a 19-year-old coworker was found inside the business in Sundre, Alta.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Gina Slaney says Josh Burns was found in the business in Sundre shortly after midnight on July 4.

A 27-year-old Sundre man, Solaimane Elbettah, was located near the scene and arrested, later being charged with first-degree murder.

The two men were known to each other, Slaney said, and both were employees at the restaurant. Elbettah was a shift supervisor at the restaurant.

"The investigation will continue, but obviously there was enough to pursue first-degree murder charges," she said.

In a statement, the franchisee organization that owns the restaurant, Chirp Foods Inc., said it was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the incident.

"We are fully co-operating with the RCMP in their investigation. In addition, support services will be provided to all employees at this restaurant," the statement reads.

"Given this is an active investigation, we will make no further comments at this time."

The 27-year-old man will appear in Canmore provincial court on July 6 at 9:30 a.m.

Slaney could not provide any additional information at this time.

Sundre is about 115 kilometres north of Calgary.