2nd-degree murder charge laid in west Edmonton assault

The Alberta Coat of Arms is shown at the Edmonton Law Courts building in Edmonton on June 28, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Edmonton police have charged a man with second-degree murder after a west-end assault earlier this year.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Officers responded to a report of an assault around 8 p.m. on May 22 in the area of 65 Avenue and 172 Street. They found an injured 20-year-old man at the scene where he was offered medical treatment but refused.

The man, identified as Lovondre Swampy, died about a week later in Wetaskiwin, said police.

Mounties took over the investigation and an autopsy was conducted in June but was inconclusive.

Given that Edmonton police responded to the reported assault, city homicide detectives took over.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner confirmed on Oct. 20 that Swampy’s death was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.

A warrant was issued on Nov. 20 for the arrest of a male suspect who was 17-years-old at the time of the offence. The man turned himself in the next day and was charged with second-degree murder.

Police said they will not release the man’s name in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

No other suspects are being sought by police in relation to the homicide.