THUNDER BAY – UPDATED – The city has had another murder. The Thunder Bay Police Service are investigating a break and enter on the city’s south side which occurred in the early morning hours of March 19, 2011. Unknown persons entered a residence that was occupied and assaulted a male who attended the home shortly after the break in.
The victim succumbed to his injuries. 54 year old Robert Francis Topping of Thunder Bay was pronounced dead at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre just after 1:00 a.m. this morning. Mr. Topping had gone to a residence in the 800 block of Minnesota Street just after 12:30 a.m. He had been called by a female friend who was concerned about suspicious activity outside of the home. It appears that Mr. Topping was assaulted at the Minnesota Street residence as he interrupted an alleged break in to the home by four males. The 45 year old female victim of the break and enter was not seriously injured in the incident.
Police arrived at the scene just after 12:30 a.m. following a 911 call concerning the assault. The four males had fled the scene prior to police arrival. Superior North EMS paramedics provided emergency treatment for Mr. Topping and transported him to hospital. His injuries were not the result of gunshot wounds. A post mortem examination is pending to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigators believe that home on Minnesota Street had been targeted for a break and enter. Police are looking for the four suspects aged 18 to 20 years old.
In another incident, at about 02:00 on Saturday morning, on Blucher Avenue, a Aboriginal youth was reportedly jumped by two assailants who attacked him with a baseball bat. The victim of that incident suffered a bruised jaw.
