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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Teens' charges upgraded after assault victim dies

By: Gabrielle Giroday

Posted: 09/1/2011 1:00 AM

POLICE have charged two teenagers with second-degree murder after the death of a man who was with his 18-year-old daughter when he was clubbed with a baseball bat.

The attack happened last Aug. 24 near four attached homes in the 400 block of Dufferin Avenue. Emergency officials responded to the home and took the man, 48, and his daughter to hospital.

The teenager received medical attention for upper-body injuries and survived the attack. The man was in critical condition but died early Tuesday morning.

Police said the father and daughter were targeted after a dispute earlier that night between opposing groups of people outside the home. The victims came on the scene later and didn't know about the earlier conflict.

"(The victims) were believed to be a part of that opposing group, and that is why they may have been targeted by the suspects," said Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen, who said the victims were "completely unaware" about what had happened earlier.

People who live in the homes near where the fight broke out didn't want to talk to the Free Press Wednesday.

Police had initially charged the two youths with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assault with a weapon and aggravated assault.

However, now both teens have been charged with second-degree murder.

The death is the city's 29th homicide of the year; there were 22 homicides reported last year.

Police have not released the victim's name.

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 1, 2011 A3

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