Three people are facing first-degree murder charges in connection with a violent stabbing last week in Batchewana First Nation.
Batchewana First Nation Police and officers with the Sault detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police responded to the scene around 3:30 a.m. on July 30.
The victim, identified as 19-year-old Brandan Pellow of Aweres Township, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead on Monday.
As SooToday previously reported, Pellow was taken off life support after donating his kidney and liver.
On Aug. 1, Adrian Blackbird, 20, of Batchewana First Nation, was charged with:
- first degree murder, section 235(1)
- aggravated assault, section 268
- uttering threats - cause death or bodily harm, section 264(1)
- failure to comply with release order-other than to attend court, section 145(5)(a)
Police had previously arrested two teens — a 17-year-old from Batchewana First Nation and a 16-year-old from Thunder Bay — and charged them with aggravated assault.
Both were re-arrested on Aug. 5 and charged with one count each of first-degree murder.
SEE: Family of young stabbing victim says 'he was just starting life'
All three suspects have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on a later date.
The investigation by the Sault Ste. Marie OPP Crime Unit and the Batchewana Police Service under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch remains ongoing.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and all three suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.