Manitoba

Winkler bowling alley attack victim dies in hospital

A Saskatoon man who was assaulted with a pool cue at a bowling alley in Winkler, Man., over the weekend has died.

Zachary Straughan, 25, was hit several times with a pool cue, police say

A 25-year-old man has died following an assault inside Valley Bowling Lanes in Winkler, Man., late Saturday night, police say. (Google Street View)

A Saskatoon man who was assaulted with a pool cue at a bowling alley in Winkler, Man., over the weekend has died.

The Winkler Police Service confirmed Zachary Straughan, 25, died of his injuries at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg on Monday afternoon.

Straughan had been on life support since he was taken to hospital following the attack, which happened late Saturday night at the Valley Bowling Lanes in the south-central Manitoba city.

He was unconscious after being struck several times with a pool cue, police said.

A 29-year-old man, also from Saskatoon, was arrested shortly after the attack and faced charges of aggravated assault and possessing a controlled substance.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to make his second court appearance in Morden, Man., on Oct. 11. Police said they are talking to the Crown prosecutor's office "regarding the possibility of upgrading charges."

Police said the men knew each other and were in Winkler as part of a work crew. The assault appears to have stemmed from a dispute over money, police added.

The Winkler Police Service said Straughan's family has "graciously consented to their son being considered for the organ donation program in hopes that it may save the life of someone in need."