Although homicide detectives have been handling the death of a man in his 20s early Monday morning, results from the autopsy confirmed the young man was murdered.

The investigation began after a disturbance was reported in the area of Mill Woods Road and 16A Avenue, just before 5 a.m. Monday.

An Edmonton Police Service inspector told CTV News on the scene that a number of people had been yelling and fighting at the time, and when police arrived they found a 22-year-old man suffering from serious injuries.

The man was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

On Tuesday, the Medical Examiner confirmed the man had been stabbed – and police identified the victim as Michael Motiuk, 22.

CTV News spoke with the victim’s father Terry Motiuk, who is making his way back to the Edmonton area from the United Arab Emirates – and he’s still coming to terms with his sudden loss.

“[His life was] just taken away by senseless idiots, these criminals,” Motiuk said. “I assume a gang mentality got away from them, and they took it out on my poor Michael.”

The grieving father doesn’t know why his son was targeted, but he told CTV News he wants justice.

“I want them to feel the kind of pain that I have to feel for the rest of my life,” Motiuk said. “I hope they get a severe penalty from the court system.”

A candle and flowers mark the spot where the young man collapsed, and more than 150 people have signed on to a memorial Facebook group for the young man.

While Motiuk wants justice, he said any talk of revenge that may have come up on Facebook shouldn’t happen, he just wants to honour his son and let police carry out their investigation.

“I ask all his friends to use caution and remember him as he was, and don’t try to take the law into your hand,” Motiuk said.

There is no word on any arrests or charges.

Police ask anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is asked to call the Edmonton Police Service non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

With files from Sean Amato