Nunavut man, 23, faces attempted murder, sex charges

A 25-year-old Qikiqtarjuaq man is now receiving treatment at an Ottawa hospital for “life-threatening injuries” sustained on the late morning of May 23 at a house in Qikiqtarjuaq, police said May 27.

The man was first treated at the Qikiqtarjuaq health centre, then flown to Ottawa.

At the same time, the Nunavut RCMP sent investigators into the community from its major crimes, forensic and police dog units to gather evidence about the incident. Later on May 23, police arrested another Qikiqtarjuaq man.

James Joanasie Newkingnak, 23, has been charged with four counts in connection with the attack: attempted murder, failure to comply with an undertaking, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, and possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence.

At the same time, police laid three other charges against him in relation to other incidents: two counts of sexual interference, and one count of sexual assault.

Newkingnak will appear in court June 10 in Iqaluit, an RCMP news release says.