A 15 year-old male youth is facing a number of charges in connection with the October 22nd murder of 48 year-old Matthew John WELLS, who is the 8th victim of homicide in Regina in 2015. The youth also faces charges in connection to two other incidents: a firearms discharge, involving only property damage; and an arson and theft; on the same night.
The homicide investigation began just after 3:35 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2015, when police were dispatched to a house in the 1500 block of Robinson Street, for a report of an injured person. Police and EMS arrived and found a male, in the residence, who was confirmed deceased by EMS. Patrol members secured the scene and Major Crimes, Forensic Identification and a Coroner were requested. That same night, police were also dispatched to an incident in which shots were fired into an apartment residence in the 2200 block of Robinson Street. This incident happened at approximately 3:40 a.m. and, although it appeared the balcony doors of the apartment residence were shattered by projectiles, there were no injuries to persons in this event. Also, on October 22nd, police also received a report of an arson and theft from a vehicle, now believed to be connected to the afore-mentioned incidents. Investigation into these events has led to the arrest, without incident, of a 15 year-old Regina male. The investigations are ongoing.
The youth, who cannot be named in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with Second Degree Murder, [235(1) CC]; Disguise With Intent to commit an indictable offence, [351(2) CC]; Being an Occupant in a Motor Vehicle, knowing there was a firearm present, [94(1)(a)(i) CC]; Possession of a Firearm obtained by crime, [96(1) CC]; two charges of Breach of a Firearms Prohibition [117.01(1) CC]; Discharge a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm in a Reckless Manner, [244.2(1)(A) CC]; Theft under $5,000, [334(b) CC]; and Arson Causing Damage to Property, [434 CC]. A bench warrant for his arrest was also executed at this time. The accused will make his first court appearance in Youth Court at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2015.
