THUNDER BAY — No one has been arrested in connection with a south side homicide but police say they do have potential suspects.
"The person responsible is still essentially at large. That, of course, causes a concern in any case,' said Jeremy Pearson, deputy chief designate, with the Thunder Bay Police Service at a media conference Friday afternoon.
He said a number of people have been identified who are being interviewed as witnesses.
“What I can say in terms of a level of concern in the area, is that I do not believe this to have been a random act, said Pearson, "and I believe there to have been an interaction prior, an altercation that took place."
Police have identified the victim, a 34-year-old man, but are not releasing his name at this time.
Officers found the man suffering from significant injuries, after responding to a call for service on Tuesday, Jan. 14 around 10 p.m., to the McIvor Court building on Lincoln Street.
The man later succumbed to his injuries.
Police believe a weapon was involved in the incident, however Pearson would not comment on the type of weapon except to say the homicide was not firearms-related.
Police are still holding a scene on the sixth floor of the building.
They had initially secured three scenes in connection with the incident, said Pearson, the other two have now been released.
“We're retaining what we believe is the primary scene while postmortem is being conducted in Toronto. That postmortem is being conducted (Friday)," he said.
Residents of the building have expressed feeling unsafe in the aftermath of the incident.
"The concerns for safety of residents who are in proximity to an event such as this are absolutely understandable," said Pearson.
"Public safety is a priority for our service, as well as for (the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board) who operates the building. I know that the issue of safety of the residents of these buildings is paramount. The issue of the safety of anyone who is in Thunder Bay is of paramount importance to the police to that end.”
"I can only say that we are investigating this occurrence diligently," said Pearson, "that the response was rapid, and that I do have tremendous sympathy for members of this community."
Pearson said that anyone who has knowledge of the incident, may have seen something suspicious or have heard or been told any information that relates to this incident, contact the Thunder Bay Police Service or Crime Stoppers.
