THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Police Service is renewing its call for assistance in identifying two suspects in a May 2 murder on Hodder Avenue, after arresting a third suspect over the weekend.
Police released higher quality images of the remaining suspects on Monday, along with more detailed physical descriptions.
A man identified by police as Suspect 1 is described as standing about 5’8” tall with a thin or average build. He has curly black hair and appears to be between 17 and 21 years old.
A man identified as Suspect 2 is described as standing about 5’7”, with an average build and dark brown hair.
The pair are being sought in connection with the May 2 death of 29-year-old Adrian Richardson.
Det. Insp. Jeremy Pearson said the arrest and the release of clearer images represented momentum in the case.
“While I wouldn’t point to any one piece of information that is new and as having come to light, what’s important to note is the investigation has progressed significantly to the point of an arrest and two, I would suggest, very identifiable suspects,” he said.
Police aren’t certain if the two suspects are still together, Pearson said.
The TBPS had released lower quality images of three suspects on May 9.
One suspect, 22-year-old Telique Ricketts of Brampton, was arrested Saturday “in the area of the hospital.” Police declined to disclose whether that man was admitted to the hospital at the time due to privacy protections.
Ricketts appeared in bail court on June 4 and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date.
Investigators are still determining the relationship between the three suspects, and their connection to Richardson.
“At this point, that remains part of our active investigation,” said Pearson. “We’re still looking into what the connection is between the three suspects, as well as the nature of the interaction and relationship between the suspects and the deceased.”
However, he confirmed police have reason to suspect the incident was related to drug trafficking.
“We do believe the drug trade may have played a role in this homicide – that is of course a very distressing theme in the violence we’re seeing in the city, the ties to the illicit drug trade.”
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.
