The Orleans, Ont., man charged in relation to the stabbing death of a 29-year-old North Bay man early in the new year appeared by video remand in the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay, Wednesday.
See related story: New Year's homicide victim's name officially released
Ghislain Nsengiyumva, 20, was charged by the North Bay Police Service with second-degree murder Saturday following the killing of Jeff Twain in the early hours of Friday morning, just after the calendar had turned to 2021. Following a verbal exchange, police say the accused brandished what investigators believe was an edged weapon and inflicted injuries to Twain.
See also: Ottawa area man arrested and charged in New Year's party murder
Nsengiyumva remains in custody and is scheduled to make his next appearance on Feb. 10 in a North Bay courtroom, also via video remand.
Nsengiyumva has also been charged with uttering threats to cause death, assault with a weapon, and two counts of assault following a series of events, that according to the NBPS, began with violent acts against two females at a New Year's party at a residence in the Gormanville Road area and culminated with an encounter between the accused and the victim near the corner of Jane Street and Pinewood Road in North Bay. Police say both female victims required medical attention as a result of the assaults.
First responders answered a call for a person in need of medical assistance on Jane Street shortly after 2:30 a.m. Police have declined to elaborate or comment further on the timeline of events leading up to police and Nipissing District paramedics finding Twain, who, despite their lifesaving efforts, succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced dead at North Bay Regional Health Centre.
The North Bay Police Criminal Investigation Section is leading the investigation with the assistance of the North Bay Police Forensic Identification Unit and Front Line Officers. The investigation has also seen assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police with the use of their Canine Unit and their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Anyone with information that may assist police with this investigation is asked to call the North Bay Police Service at 705-497-5555 and select option 9 to speak to a police officer.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, contact Near North Crime Stoppers, by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by submitting a tip online at nearnorthcrimestoppers.com.
