SUDBURY -- A violent assault in Sudbury on Canada Day has turned fatal, resulting in an upgrade of charges, police said in a news release Monday morning.
Greater Sudbury Police Service says it learned Sunday that the 45-year-old man who was assaulted early in the morning on July 1, has died in hospital as a result of his injuries sustained in the incident. His name is not being released out of respect for the family’s wishes.
"The injuries sustained by the individual were significant and as a result, unfortunately, the victim over the weekend succumbed to his injuries and passed," said Insp. John Valtonen, Greater Sudbury Police Service. "Again, our deepest condolences to the family on such a terrible result of this incident."
Initially, a 25-year-old man was arrested for attempted murder in connection with the incident on Ferndale Avenue in the city’s Minnow Lake neighbourhood. However, despite being involved in a physical altercation with the victim, police say it was determined that it was actually a 48-year-old man that is responsible for the injuries sustained.
Officials believe the serious assault took place just before the physical altercation with the 25-years-old.
Now, the 48-year-old accused, who has yet to be named by police, is charged with second-degree murder.
He remains in custody.
Valtonen says this is the first of two murder in Greater Sudbury this year. The other involves the shooting of a 50-year-old man in the Valley area of the city on Sunday.
"I really need to empathise, in both cases, how important it was for witnesses to come forward and provide us that information that fills in the gaps," said Valtonen.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 705-675-9171 ext 2325 or submit anonymously through Crime Stoppers 705-222-8477.
