Police release photos of 2nd suspect in downtown Winnipeg homicide

Photos and videos in this story were removed on Sunday, July 31, in accordance with a court order expiring at that time. Police obtained the court order allowing them to temporarily publicize the images of a suspect believed to be a minor.

Police released images Thursday of a second suspect they believe was involved in the beating death of a father of four in downtown Winnipeg in early July.

Cyril Weenusk, 26, of Oxford House, Man., was attacked in the early hours of July 5 near Portage Avenue and Donald Street and later died in hospital.

Police released photos and video taken from surveillance footage near the scene of the crime.

Since the male suspect may be a youth, police had to obtain a temporary court order, which expired at midnight on Sunday, in order to release images of him.

"We could've released the image if an average person looking at it would've assumed that that was an adult individual," Const. Rob Carver explained at a news conference Thursday morning. "In this case, investigators believe the individual is likely a youth, which requires us to go before the courts."

Winnipeg police described the suspect as wearing a dark-coloured hat and a black-and-white camoflage jacket.

Police also released surveillance footage recorded in the area where Weenusk was found. It shows the suspect standing with two other individuals whose faces have been blurred because they are not considered suspects, Carver said.

On July 15, Geordie Wood, 22, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. 

Never-ending nightmare, family says

Weenusk is a cousin of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson and had travelled to Winnipeg with his father, who was receiving cancer treatments in the city.

Sheila North Wilson hopes people come forward to identify 2nd suspect in her cousin's death

8 years ago

Duration 0:47

Winnipeg police believe the second suspect in Cyril Weenusk's death is a youth. His cousin, MKO grand chief Sheila North Wilson, says the father of four is dearly missed in Oxford house. She says they're happy police are making progress in the investigation, but are still living a nightmare without him.

According to North Wilson, the family is desperately hoping someone will come forward and identify the person in the surveillance footage.

"It's a never-ending nightmare but at the same time they want justice," she said. 

"They want to make sure that people are held responsible for taking the life of their loved one."

While justice will give the family some closure, North Wilson said they will never get over the loss. 

"They'll never be fully healed. They'll never be able to fully move on because he died in such a tragic way. But at the same time there will be some resolution," she said.

Police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect to contact investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).