WIIKWEMKOONG—A 39-year-old Wiikwemkoong man is in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Health Sciences North in Sudbury following a vicious attack by two men and two women in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 9.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), which has been called in to assist in the investigation, reports that at approximately 12:32 am, members of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service responded to a call about a serious assault that had taken place in the area of Mshaaboos Lane in Wiikwemkoong.
Investigation determined that during an altercation, a 39-year-old father of two from that community was brutally beaten. The victim was transported to hospital where he is currently being treated for life threatening injuries.
The suspects fled the scene but were arrested a short time later by the UCCM Anishnaabe Police.
As a result of the investigation, Angela Filazzola, a 22-year-old female from Scarborough, and Taun Dixon-Johnson, a 26-year-old male from Toronto, have both been charged with assault with a weapon and aggravated assault.
Shamar Shaw, a 23-year-old male from Pickering, faces charges of assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and fail to comply with a probation order. Billie-Jean Mills, a 22-year-old female from Sudbury, has been charged with assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and failing to comply with a probation order (three counts).
Ms. Filazzola, Mr. Dixon-Johnson, Mr. Shaw and Ms. Mills have not been released on bail and are scheduled for a first appearance today at the Ontario Court of Justice in Wiikwemkoong, Wednesday, May 17.
Community members report that the victim will not need surgery, as was originally considered medically necessary, but is still on a respirator and continues to be housed in the ICU. He has a lengthy recovery period ahead. Attempts at removing him from the respirator last week were short-lived as the man’s lungs quickly filled with fluid.
The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service, with assistance from the North East Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime unit, under the direction of Detective Inspector Mark Zulinski of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), are continuing the investigation.
Any person with information about this incident is asked to immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122, the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service at (705) 859-3141 or their nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.tipsubmit.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
