M’CHIGEENG—The M’Chigeeng community is reeling after the shameless assault of an elder last Sunday, May 11 that left the victim, 70-year-old Johnny Panamick, with severe injuries and as of press time on Monday, still heavily sedated at Health Sciences North in Sudbury.
The Expositor received notice from the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin (UCCM) Anishnaabe Police that investigators with the Criminal Investigation Unit are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s) following the assault of the elder.
On Sunday, May 11, between the hours of 7 and 11 pm, Mr. Panamick was assaulted inside his residence on Back Street in the M’Chigeeng First Nation. Mr. Panamick was discovered inside his home that night by a neighbour and paramedics were called to the scene. He was then transported to the Manitoulin Health Centre by ambulance and later flown to Health Sciences North in Sudbury where he remains in intensive care in critical, but stable, condition. No one else was injured in the incident.
The assault was reported to UCCM Police on Monday, May 11 at about 6 am. The OPP’s Forensic Unit obtained physical evidence from the residence and members of the UCCM Anishnaabe Police have been actively investigating the assault with the area canvassed for additional information. The OPP’s criminal investigation branch has also now joined the investigation.
Bernard Panamick, brother of Mr. Panamick, explained that his brother has had both of his legs broken, a punctured lung, broken ribs and a fractured cheekbone. His face, the brother said, is very badly bruised.
He said he has heard that someone may have come to his brother’s residence asking for money that Sunday night before the assault took place.
[pullquote]“It’s hard on everybody,” Mr. Panamick said. “I’m sad and mad at the same time.”[/pullquote]
“It’s hard on everybody,” Mr. Panamick said. “I’m sad and mad at the same time.”
He told The Expositor that Mr. Panamick moved back to his home community of M’Chigeeng after a decades-long absence of working in Michigan, near Rogers City. Mr. Panamick lives alone.
The Expositor also spoke with sisters Hazel Recollet and Eileen Simon, who are maintaining a bedside vigil in Sudbury.
“He’s in the same condition, critical but stable,” Ms. Recollet said.
As he is sedated, the family has not yet been able to speak with their brother.
The investigation into the assault is ongoing and anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information is asked to contact police immediately by calling the UCCM Police at 1-888-377-7135 or Sudbury Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
A community meeting concerning this incident was scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at 7 pm at the M’Chigeeng Community Complex.
Mr. Panamick’s beating is reminiscent of another similar incident that took place mid-summer of 1999 when another elderly man, who also lived alone, was attacked and beaten in his home on Cross Hill Road. His injuries were not as extensive as those inflicted on Mr. Panamick but he told The Expositor at that time that he had been beaten by young people who came to his home seeking money, which he declined to give them.
