THUNDER BAY – The victim of a May 31 assault at a May Street residence has died, the Thunder Bay Police Service announced Friday.
As a result, the suspect in the death of Alan Cory Esquega, 34, of Thunder Bay, will now face a charge of second degree murder, upgraded from aggravated assault.
Esquega died on June 12 after being treated at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. An autopsy has been completed and reviewed, police said.
Suspect Raejon Raheem Johnson, 22, who was previously arrested by the Thunder Bay Police Service in connection with the assault charge on June 1, was arrested Friday by the Brantford Police Service on the upgraded charges.
Johnson was released on conditions including remaining in Brantford, after a bail hearing.
Arrangements are being made to return to him to Thunder Bay, police said.
The victim and the accused were known to each other, said Det. Insp. Jeremy Pearson at a press conference Friday.
The incident is believed to relate to the drug trade, but Pearson declined to provide further details, saying that information would form part of the court case.
“I do believe, and the investigation has shown to this point, that the illicit drug trade was a factor in the relationship and the interaction,” he said.
Pearson said he couldn’t disclose what kind of weapon was used in the assault, but that it was not firearm related. Police previously said the weapon was a "blunt object."
Investigators have gathered evidence including witness statements related to the interaction on the night of May 31 when the assault took place.
Police were called to a residence in the 200 block of May Street at about 7:45 p.m. on May 31, where Esquega was already being treated by paramedics. He was later taken to hospital.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 807-685-1200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com/273
