Murder charges laid

Police have charged two Thunder Bay men with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a 54-year-old-man.

Thunder Bay Police Service officers responded to a 911 call about an alleged break and enter and an assault at a Minnesota Street residence around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Paramedics rushed 54-year-old Robert Francis Topping to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Topping had gone to the home after a friend had told him that she was concerned about suspicious activity that was going on outside her house. Topping died just after 1 a.m., police say.

Police arrested two men in connection to the incident around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Police charged 18-year-old Nick Andrew Webber and 19-year-old Sheldon Paul Ryan Wabason with break, enter, and commit an indictable offence and first-degree murder.

Police are also looking for 18-year-old Cody Allister Thompson and 20-year-old Christopher John Hawk. Police describe both men as Aboriginal with black hair and brown eyes. Thompson is described as six-foot-two and weights 230 pounds while Hawk stands at five-foot-eight and weighs 134 pounds.

Thunder Bay Police executive officer Chris Adams said that both men are considered dangerous and the public should not approach them if they are spotted.

"The two other males that are wanted in connection with this incident are still at large," Adams said. "They are considered dangerous because the crime was considered to be violent. First-degree murder appeared to be the appropriate charge considering it was a break, enter and committing an indictable offence. Investigators believe that it was a targeted break and enter to that home."

Adams said Topping’s injuries were not the result of a gunshot. He added that a post mortem had taken place in Thunder Bay but the preliminary results wouldn’t be known until next week.

"Any homicide is obviously serious and obviously a very tragic situation," he said. "The individual was attempting to provide assistance. It comes as an unfortunate shock to the family of Mr. Topping. It is important to always contact police and look for police assistance."

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either Hawk or Thompson can contact Thunder Bay police or Crime Stoppers. 

While police continue their search, Webber and Wabason made their first appearance via video at the Provincial Court of Justice on Arthur Street early Sunday morning.

Webber’s lawyer, Chris Watkins, said a first-degree murder charge gave Webber an automatically detention order so he doesn’t have an entitlement to a bail hearing. The next step will be to submit a bail review in front of a Superior Court of Justice, he said.

The Crown could argue that Webber could try to contact the two other suspects that are at large if released on bail. Watkins said that argument is a concern but with the support of Webber’s family, he hoped for the best for his client.

With two more suspects involved in the case that haven’t received charges, Watkins said it makes his defence strategy a little bit more complicated.

"I don’t know what involvement anybody has at this point in time," Watkins said. "We’re continuing to take in information as it becomes available. Investigations can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. These types of cases usually remain ongoing."

Watkins added it is important to recognize the tragic loss of life and give Topping’s family a chance to heal.

Webber and Wabason will appear in court again via video on Wednesday.