Nunavut man charged with attempted murder in Igloolik stabbing

A 23-year-old stabbing victim was transferred from the Igloolik health centre to Iqaluit and then on to Ottawa March 12. Joey Aqqiaruk, 27, now faces attempted murder charges. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)

A 23-year-old Igloolik man is in “critical but stable condition” in an Ottawa hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds March 12 in his home community, said a March 16 statement issued by the Nunavut RCMP.

According to the statement, police arrested and charged another Igloolik man, 27-year-old Joey Aqqiaruk, in connection to the incident.

Police said Aqqiaruk, who faces one count of attempted murder, is scheduled to appear before a Justice of the Peace in Igloolik March 16 for a bail review hearing.

Until then, Aqqiaruk remains in remand.

If the 23-year-old injured man, whom police did not identify, succumbs to his injuries, police would likely upgrade Aqqiaruk’s charge to first or second degree murder.

“The victim was transported by medevac to Iqaluit and later to the Ottawa Civic Hospital where he was treated for multiple stab wounds. He is now [in] critical but stable condition,” police said.

Rumours about the incident have been swirling around the north Baffin community since March 12, with some suggesting the incident was related to marijuana possession.

The March 16 news release is the first information released by RCMP since the incident.