Winnipeg's homicide rate continues to mount following Sunday's fatal stabbing of a 37-year-old man in the inner-city and the death of a 30-year-old man beaten with a baseball bat more than a week ago.
The incidents increase the number of homicides to 17 so far this year, nearly double what it was last year at this time.
Police released details Monday relating to the May 15 attack of a 30-year-old man who was found unconscious and injured on Flora Avenue. He died on Saturday.
Police said the man was walking in the area of Austin Street and Euclid Avenue when he got into a verbal dispute with a stranger, who left the area only to return and beat him with a baseball bat.
Charges against a 16-year-old male -- an associate of the Manitoba Warriors gang -- were bumped up to second-degree murder.
The teen claims on an online forum to be "the Gangxsta best" (best gangster) in 'Murda Cap,' which is common lingo for the city of Winnipeg in street-gang circles.
Police also said Monday that a 17-year-old youth is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of a 37-year-old relative at 427 Pacific Ave. on Sunday evening.
The youth and his slain relative became involved in a physical confrontation inside the home that began as a verbal dispute shortly before 8 p.m., police said.
Police didn't say what sparked the conflict, nor would they reveal what the family relation between the two is. There were other people in the house at the time of the stabbing.
Despite the fact that they youth is the subject of a nation-wide warrant, police said releasing information that would identify him would be a last resort. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, police must apply to the courts for special dispensation in order to issue a public appeal for assistance.
"It's tough to get that authorization from the courts, but if they have to, they'll go that route," police spokeswoman Const. Jacqueline Chaput said.
james.turner@freepress.mb.ca
PREVIOUS
