2nd-degree murder warrant issued in death of Cyril Weenusk

Winnipeg police are asking the public to help them find a 22-year-old man wanted in connection with the beating death of Cyril Weenusk in the city's downtown last week.

A warrant for the arrest of Geordie Douglas Wood of St. Theresa Point, Man., on a charge of second-degree murder was issued on Wednesday afternoon, just over a week after Weenusk was killed.

Weenusk, a 26-year-old father of four from the Bunibonibee Cree Nation in Oxford House, Man., was found injured near Portage Avenue and Donald Street around 3:50 a.m. on July 5. He later died in hospital.

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Police closed part of Portage Avenue for seven hours that day to investigate the attack. A makeshift memorial remains at the scene, where a memorial to the father of four now stands.

Family members have said that Weenusk, who worked as a firefighter and delivered water to homes that had no running water, went to Winnipeg that week to accompany his father to chemotherapy and dialysis appointments.

Police have said that Weenusk got involved in an altercation with a group of people he did not know. Last week, investigators said they were looking for at least three suspects.

Wood has dark hair and a slim build, police said. Police said a photo of him was not available as of Wednesday.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477. Police warn anyone who sees him not to approach him and call police immediately.