A 25 year-old male has been charged in connection with the October 22nd murder of 48 year-old Matthew John WELLS, who was the 8th victim of homicide in Regina in 2015. The accused 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. That same night (October 22, 2015), police also received a report of an arson and theft from a vehicle, now believed to be connected to the afore-mentioned incidents. Continued investigation into these events led to the arrest of a 25 year-old male of the Broadview area. (There is already one person charged in connection with these same incidents; he is a 15 year-old Regina male. Charges were made public in a December 23, 2015 news release.) The investigations are ongoing.
Twenty-five year-old Jason Dustin HOTOMANIE, DOB: 1990-06-14, of the Broadview District, is facing seven charges: Second Degree Murder, [235(1) CC];
– Theft under $5,000, [334(b) CC];
– Arson Causing Damage to Property, [434 CC];
– Discharge a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm with Intent, [244.2(1)(A) CC];
– Being an Occupant in a Motor Vehicle, knowing there was a firearm present, [94(1) CC];
– Possession of a Firearm obtained by crime, [96(1) CC];
– Possession of a Firearm contrary to Prohibition [117.01(1) CC].
HOTOMANIE will make his first court appearance on these charges in Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 8, 2015.
