Autopsy results confirm male died of sharp, blunt force injuries

The Medical Examiner’s Officer has confirmed that a 34-year-old male who died in hospital last weekend following an April 15, 2017 assault, died as a result of sharp and blunt-force injuries.

The 34-year-old male was taken off life support Friday, April 21, 2017, and died the following day on Saturday, April 22, 2017. The male complainant was rushed to hospital by paramedics April 15^th, following an assault by two males involving a machete and firearms.

Homicide Section has now taken over the investigation and will be meeting with the Crown Prosecutor’s Office in the near future to discuss the possibility of upgrading charges against the two accused.

Every file is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS has decided not to release the name of the deceased in this investigation for the following reasons: it does not serve an investigative purpose, there is no risk to public safety and the EPS has a duty to protect the privacy rights of the victims and their families.

Background:
Two men are in custody and facing a total of 65 charges including attempted murder and firearm-related offences in connection with a violent assault Saturday afternoon in southwest Edmonton, which has left a 34-year-old male in hospital fighting for his life.

Southwest Division patrol officers responded to a suite near 173 Street and 69 Avenue, at approximately 2 p.m., Saturday, April 15, 2017, after receiving several calls from neighbours regarding a disturbance in a nearby suite.

Upon arrival, officers spotted two males covered in blood stepping out of the condo building elevator. The two males were taken into custody for questioning, and eventually arrested in connection with a vicious assault on a 34-year-old male complainant.

Officers quickly attended a suite in the building, where they found a 34-year-old male on the ground suffering from multiple stab and blunt force trauma wounds to his body. Paramedics treated and transported the male to hospital, where he remains in critical condition, after undergoing emergency surgery Saturday afternoon. Several other individuals were also found with the wrists zip-tied in the suite, some of whom suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators believe the assault was drug related. Trevor Auger, 36, and Jason Hope, 38, are both facing a wrath of charges including:

Attempted murder

Aggravated Assault

Assault with a Weapon (x 3)

Assault Bodily Harm (x 2)

Kidnapping

Unlawful Confinement (x 5)

Intimidation

Robbery (x 2)

Forcible Confinement (x 5)

Breach of Probation

Multiple weapons offences