Accused Re-arrested – Charges Upgraded to 2nd Degree Murder
FORT HOPE, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police report that on July 12, 2020, at 9:30 pm, the OPP received a request from the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service to assist with an investigation into an aggravated assault against two residents on the Fort Hope First Nation that occurred on July 8, 2020.
As a result of the investigation, a young person within the definition of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) had been arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, two counts, contrary to Section 268 of the Criminal Code and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, two counts, contrary to Section 88 of the Criminal Code.
The victim of the aggravated assault, Arlene WAPOOSE a 26-year-old from Fort Hope First Nation succumbed to her injuries on July 12, 2020.
The young person was re-arrested on July 14, 2020, at 2:30 pm and charged with 2nd Degree Murder contrary to Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code, The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on July 15, 2020, and is being held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service and OPP Northwest Region Crime Unit, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Police are asking if you have any information about this incident to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or your nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or access their website at: http://www.p3tips.com/273where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
