The 2021 Thunder Bay Homicide Victim list is available here.

Thunder Bay Police responded to the area of Limbrick Street and Redwood Avenue just before 3 a.m. on Friday, April 30th following reports of an injured male.

On arrival police located Liam Edward Simon Slipperjack, 18, suffering from serious injuries as a result of a recent assault. He was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries on May 2nd.

Desomond Jarrel Keewaykapow, 18, of Thunder Bay was originally charged with Aggravated Assault, however, a charged of Second-Degree Murder in lieu of Aggravated Assault is expected following his court appearance. A 17-year-old Thunder Bay male was also arrested on May 3rd and charged with second degree murder and fail to comply with sentence.

Update On Sept 26th
Madam Justice T. J. Nieckarz said For the reasons that follow I find: A.M. (the minor)  shall be sentenced as a youth.

At the request of counsel for the Accused, sentencing shall be delayed for a period of no longer than 60 days to allow for an appropriate release plan to be developed for A.M.

Here are the reasons summarized 

• A.M. is a young Indigenous man from the Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope), facing challenges including high unemployment, poverty, substance abuse issues, and lack of services in his community.
• He has a history of trauma linked to intergenerational effects from residential schools. His family background includes substance abuse and domestic violence.
• A.M. lived in Eabametoong until age 12, where he experienced bullying and exposure to substance use.
• His first criminal offense occurred at 12 when he participated in a group that vandalized the community center, leading to family relocation to Thunder Bay.

• Following the move, A.M.’s family faced escalating substance abuse and domestic violence, which he and his siblings tried to mitigate.
• He became involved with local youth gangs for protection and began using substances regularly.
• Criminal History:
• A.M. faced various charges from a young age, including robbery at 13 and an assault charge at 15, which was dropped.
• At 17, he was involved in a fatal incident where he struck a woman in self-defense; he was initially charged with murder but later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
• Recent Events:
• After being released from custody, A.M. struggled with substance abuse, particularly alcohol, which played a role in a subsequent violent incident involving a close friend, Liam Slipperjack.
• A.M. has been mostly incarcerated for his youth, with significant periods spent in secure facilities. However, he has shown improvement during his time in custody, engaging positively with available programs.
• Psychological Impact:
• A.M. experiences PTSD symptoms related to his traumatic experiences and struggles with guilt over his past actions.
• He reports using substances to cope with trauma and has a history of violent behavior, although recent assessments suggest he has made significant behavioral improvements during incarceration.

• A.M.’s life has been marked by trauma, substance abuse, and involvement in the criminal justice system from a young age. Despite his challenges, recent changes in behavior and attitude while incarcerated indicate a potential for rehabilitation.
• The maximum custodial sentence for A.M., if sentenced as a youth, is three years. There is no dispute regarding this sentence length, but there are questions about ancillary orders and credit for time served.he Crown argues for a 7-year adult sentence, stating this is necessary to reflect the seriousness of A.M.’s crime and to ensure continued supervision due to the risk he poses. Key points include:
• Moral Culpability: A.M.’s intentional and brutal behavior led to the death of Mr. Slipperjack, with the attack being particularly callous.
• Comparative Sentencing: A.M.’s co-accused received a 5.5-year sentence, but A.M.’s greater involvement and violent actions warrant a harsher sentence.
• Violent History: A.M. has a pattern of aggressive behavior and has not responded to previous interventions, indicating a high risk of reoffending.
• Family Dynamics: Concerns about his family’s ability to support him, especially given their history with substance abuse and his mother’s recent sobriety.
• The Crown references several cases where sentences for similar offenses were imposed, emphasizing factors like moral culpability, past behavior, and the severity of violence.

• The judge ultimately decides against imposing a 7-year adult sentence, indicating that while the aggravating factors are significant, they must be balanced against A.M.’s status as a youthful Indigenous offender and the relevant Gladue factors (considering the impact of colonialism and systemic issues).
• The judge acknowledges that although a harsher sentence could reflect the crime’s seriousness, it does not align with the principles of restraint and rehabilitation for a young offender.
• Key Takeaways:
• The case highlights the tension between public safety concerns and the principles of rehabilitation and cultural context in sentencing young Indigenous offenders.
• The final decision reflects a nuanced understanding of A.M.’s circumstances, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes rather than solely punitive measures.
• Justice Nieckarz said I Order that A.M. is not liable to an adult sentence for the offense of manslaughter committed contrary to s. 234 of the Criminal Code.  A youth sentence shall be imposed on him for this offense on a date following further submissions by counsel.

You can read the whole court transcript at www.canlii.org