The 2024 Winnipeg Homicide Victim List is available here

Winnipeg police said on June 26, at approximately 3:30 a.m., a 30-year-old female victim, Nirmaljeet KAUR and a 29-year-old male victim were injured during a fire at a townhouse in the 800 block of Keewatin Avenue.

KAUR and the male victim were asleep when their unit was engulfed in flames after a couch was deliberately set on fire against the building.

Both were rushed to hospital in critical condition where Nirmaljeet KAUR died of her injuries on June 30th.

The Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation, it was later determined he was also involved in a robbery before the townhouse fire and three additional arsons after the townhouse fire.  

On June 26th at approximately 3:00 a.m., the accused confronted a male in his 30s at a gas station in the 700 block of Keewatin Street. He demanded a cigarette, punched the victim, and then left. The victim reported the incident to police and did not require medical attention.

Shortly after the townhouse fire, the accused remained in the area and set three garbage bins on fire.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., General Patrol members recognized the accused while they attended to the 700 block of William Avenue on an unrelated matter.

27-year-old male, Izak SARARAS was arrested and turned over to the Major Crimes Unit, and charged with the following offences:

• Arson with Disregard for Human Life x 2
• Arson Causing Damage to Property x 4
• Robbery

He was also charged with Manslaughter on July 2nd.