Winnipeg police have arrested and charged a 32-year-old man, Jamie Randy Felix, with second-degree murder in connection with a mass shooting that unfolded early Sunday morning in the city’s West Broadway neighborhood. The incident left four people dead, and one person injured, as revealed in a police news release.
The suspect, Jamie Randy Felix, now faces four counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. His apprehension occurred at 6:30 a.m. on Friday at a residence on Fernwood Avenue, located in the St. Vital area of Winnipeg. This information was disclosed by Insp. Jennifer McKinnon during a news conference held shortly after 10 a.m. on the same day.
The arrest, accompanied by a significant police presence in the vicinity of Fernwood Avenue and St. Anne’s Road, raised questions about Felix’s connection to the victims and the motive behind the mass shooting. Sgt. Wade MacDonald, from the homicide unit, stated that these aspects are integral to the ongoing investigation. He mentioned that search warrants would be executed as part of the investigation, indicating a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The victims, Crystal Shannon Beardy, 34, Stephanie Amanda Beardy, 33, Melelek Leseri Lesikel, 29, and Dylan Maxwell Lavallee, 41, lost their lives after being shot in a unit of a multi-suite dwelling on Langside Street. Crystal Beardy and one of the men were declared dead at the scene, while three others were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, another man and Stephanie Beardy succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
A poignant detail emerges as Jamie Randy Felix’s twin brother, Johnathen James Felix, had been murdered in 2012. In 2020, Jamie spoke with CBC Radio’s Now or Never about his struggles with addiction following his brother’s death. Despite the challenges, he had managed to find support through a group for young men dealing with similar issues.
The victims, Crystal and Stephanie Beardy, were sisters and members of Lake St. Martin First Nation. Crystal, a mother of two boys, resided in Winnipeg, while Stephanie, a mother of two girls, was visiting from Lake St. Martin. At a vigil held in Winnipeg’s North End, their aunt, Roberta Owen, fondly remembered them as happy-spirited jokesters.
Dylan Lavallee, another victim, was described by his sister, Eve Lavallee, as a compassionate person who always put others first. Eve emphasized her brother’s kindness, stating, “He had the biggest heart.”
The youngest victim, Melelek Leseri Lesikel, 29, had ties to the United States and Kenya, indicating the international impact of this tragic event.
The arrest of Jamie Randy Felix raises numerous questions about the motive behind the mass shooting and his connection to the victims. The police’s diligent investigation, including the execution of search warrants, reflects the commitment to unraveling the details surrounding this devastating incident.
As Winnipeg mourns the loss of four lives and grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, the community is left to reflect on the impact of such tragedies on individuals and families. The victims, remembered for their vibrant spirits and the love they shared with their families, leave a void that can never be filled. The city now faces the challenging task of healing and seeking justice for those whose lives were abruptly cut short in this heart-wrenching event.
