The Crown said Mylan Hicks was shot twice, in the chest and abdomen, after a minor altercation in 2016

A mother's anguish was evident at the start of a murder trial for the man accused of killing a Calgary Stampeder

CALGARY – A mother’s anguish was evident at the opening of a second-degree murder trial for the man accused of killing a Calgary Stampeders player.

Renee Hill, who travelled from Detroit, wailed as the Crown outlined how her son Mylan Hicks died outside a city nightclub in 2016.

At court for the start of another murder trial today. Nelson Lugela is charged in the death of Calgary Stampeder DB Mylan Hicks who was shot and killed outside the Marquee bar in 2016. — Jon Muma (@jonmuma) December 3, 2018

The Crown said Hicks was shot twice, in the chest and abdomen, after a minor altercation spilt out into the parking lot.

Nelson Lugela, who also had family members in court, pleaded not guilty.

Hicks, who was 23, was on the Stampeders practice roster.

Crown says Hicks was shot twice. Once in the abdomen and once on the chest. — Jon Muma (@jonmuma) December 3, 2018

The Crown says it plans to call 33 witnesses and the trial is scheduled to last two weeks.

A number of Stampeders players are expected to testify at the trial, which was purposely delayed until after the recent Grey Cup game which Calgary won.

READ MORE: Stamps celebrate Grey Cup win with fans

Derek Dennis, a Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman, wiped away tears Monday as he described the shooting death.

Dennis told the court that a minor altercation occurred at Marquee Beer Market in Calgary on Sept. 25, 2016, where the team was celebrating a victory over Winnipeg a few hours earlier.

He said the dispute began over a spilled drink and the Stampeders’ assistant coach bought drinks for everyone involved to try to smooth things over.

Dennis said after the club was closed, he went and brought his car to the front and saw another altercation outside. Worried his teammates might be involved, he said he started to get out of the car and heard a bottle breaking, a gunshot and people rushing away.

Recalling the event. Defence asking who went. More than a dozen met up at separate times. Dennis said he had some hard liquor before they got to the Marquee with Jerome Mesame. Says he didn't have any drinks there. — Jon Muma (@jonmuma) December 3, 2018

“I see Mylan running towards my direction. As I see Mylan running towards me I see the shooter come out with the gun pointed towards him. I see him take a second shot — bang. I see Mylan starts to stumble,” Dennis told court.

“As he’s stumbling, the shooter takes a third shot — bang. After he took a third shot, that’s when I see Mylan hit the concrete facedown.”

Dennis said he and teammate Jamal Nixon rushed to his friend’s side.

“As he grabs Mylan and flips him over, he’s like holding him. He unzips his coat. He opens it up and opens his shirt and I just see a bullet hole in his chest area,” Dennis said.

“Mylan’s just laying there. You could see he’s gasping for air and trying to hold on to himself. We’re all just telling him: ‘Just hold on Mylan, the ambulance is coming.”‘

Dennis tried to compose himself before continuing.

“I’m heartbroken. I was scared for him, man. I was just praying and hoping he could hold on long enough for the ambulance come get him.”

WATCH: Fellow Stampeders’ teammate, DaVaris Daniels comments to reporters at the courthouse:

Police said Lugela and two other suspects were taken into custody after returning to the scene shortly after the shooting took place. The other two suspects were released.

Police seized a firearm at the scene.

Fellow defensive back and teammate Jamar Wall changed his jersey number from 29 to 31, the number Hicks wore, for the rest of the 2016 season to honour him. The week following the shooting, every CFL team held a moment of silence.