Winnipeg homicide victims ID'd as Donald Collins, Stoney Stanley Bushie
Winnipeg police have released the names of the two men who were killed in the city's downtown over the weekend.
The bodies of Donald Collins, 65, and Stoney Stanley Bushie, 48, were found in alleys behind 329 Hargrave St. and 333 Portage Ave., respectively, on Saturday.
Police have removed a number of dumpsters from behind a homeless shelter as part of the investigation into the men's deaths.
The rear of Siloam Mission was taped off Monday morning and the dumpsters were covered in tarps, though police have not said what they were looking for.
"They've come and said, 'We need to kind of look into all kinds of things,' so they've asked to tape that off and we're co-operating," he said.
The dumpsters were eventually removed from the site just after 10 a.m. and police said more dumpsters in other alleys might be examined as well.
On Monday afternoon, after the victims' identities were released, Siloam Mission issued a news release saying neither men had relied on the agency's services. As well, both men were not familiar to shelter staff.
"This has been stressful and uncertain for our community," Maxson stated in the release.
"Although we did not know these [gentlemen], our hearts go out to those who cared for and loved them. We urge all to keep them all in their prayers."
Const. Rob Carver said police are putting all their resources into investigating this case and looking into anything that could be connected.
He added it might be unsettling to the people at Siloam, but they need to know the police are doing everything to make them feel safe again.
"It must be very difficult for people on the street to have to see a police presence so close to a place that provides shelter and assistance. I'm sure they're worried," he said.
Case prompt public warning
The bodies of the two slain men were found Saturday, just hours apart in alleys off of the same downtown block of Hargrave Street.
Police have said the men — one homeless and the other known to spend a lot of time on the streets — were likely killed by the same person.
Described by police as "brutal killings," the homicides prompted a public warning for the city's homeless people to be cautious.
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Police have since released surveillance images of a man they say was in the area where the homicides happened. They refer to him as a person of interest, but have refrained from calling him a suspect.
Police are also looking for two other people, a man and a woman, who were in the Hargrave Street area between 9:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Friday night.
Meanwhile, people in the city's homeless community wonder: "Who is the man in the photos?"
"Well, everybody says they look familiar. So, you know that's the thing, you know, he's got that look about him I guess, but nobody can really place him," said Melvin Mokelkie, a homeless man who uses Siloam's services.
Mayor, premier react
In a statement, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman encourages people to "continue helping police with their ongoing investigation, to remain vigilant and report any information they may have to assist."
"Winnipeg, as a community, is committed to working together to end homelessness from the foundation up. Everyone deserves the dignity to have the pride and safety in a place they can call home regardless of the challenges they face," his statement reads in part.
"Those faced with being on the streets are sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and parents and we need to share compassion and efforts as a community — especially in times of tragedy."
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger called the weekend homicides tragic and said more needs to be done to find shelter for those without homes to go to.
"At the end of the day we want people off the street when they need a place to stay and we want them to have the proper support services to reduce homelessness," he said. "The work we are doing, we are seeing some good results, but when this tragedy happens it just make us re-double our efforts.
"Anybody who loses their life through murder, it's a tragedy. Everybody is a citizen of Manitoba and we want everybody to have the support of a safe community and we want proper enforcement and prevention."
