THUNDER BAY – CRIME – Thunder Bay Police are providing an update on the city’s 9th homicide. The incident Friday night is the ninth murder in Thunder Bay this year, and likely will allow the city to maintain its unwanted title as “Murder Capital” of Canada.
Thunder Bay Police state they are currently investigating a homicide that occurred on October 3rd, 2014 outside the Silvercity Movie Theater located on May St.
“Numerous 911 calls were received at 10:25PM EDT about a disturbance between two males that escalated to a weapons call. The first officers were on scene within minutes and found a male in medical distress. Officers began CPR until the ambulance arrived. The male was transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center where he was pronounced dead.
Officers located a male matching the description of the accused a short distance away on the walk bridge between Northern Ave and Southern Ave. T
A male suspect was arrested without incident and a weapon was seized from the suspect following the arrest. He was then escorted to the Balmoral Police Station where he was positively identified and charged.
On the October 4th, 2014 the accused Shane Patrick Ashpanaquestcum, 19 years old of Summer Beaver made a court appearance facing the charge of Second Degree Murder. He was remanded into custody at the District Jail.
His next court date is October 14, 2104.
The victim is a 20 year old student from Sachigo Lake who was residing in Thunder Bay to attend Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. His identity is not being released pending notification of the next of kin.
The post mortem was conducted earlier today in Thunder Bay. Investigators are waiting for the results.
Identification officers have completed the forensic examination of the scene and the Sivercity location is no longer being held by police.
The Detectives in the Criminal Investigation Unit have interviewed numerous witnesses who were at the theater when this incident occurred. Anyone who may have witnessed this event and has not been spoken to by investigators is asked to call 684-1237.Thunder Bay Police are stating that “The victim and the accused were not known to each other and alcohol was a factor in this incident”. The investigation continues.
