Iqaluit RCMP charge 19-year-old with second-degree murder

Iqaluit RCMP have charged 19-year old Wayne Panipakoocho of Pond Inlet with second-degree murder following a “critical incident” on Sunday.

Police say they were called to a house in Iqaluit’s 2600s block early that morning, where they found a man in medical distress.

The man, who police have not named, was transported to Qikiqtani General Hospital, where he died from his injuries shortly afterward, police said.

Members of the RCMP’s Iqaluit detachment, the Nunavut RCMP major crimes unit and the critical incident command team then began looking for Panipakoocho, who is alleged to have fled and was at large somewhere in the city.

Police located Panipakoocho shortly before noon and took him into custody.

Iqaluit’s Alianait Arts Festival was put on hold during the search effort.

Panipakoocho is also connected with allegations of break, entry, theft, and arson, police said, after a number of firearms were stolen from a location in Apex.

All of the firearms, some of which were loaded, have since been recovered, police said.

Dennis Ipeelie, 36, of Iqaluit was charged in connection with the Apex occurrence.

Ipeelie appeared before a justice of the peace and has been remanded into custody. His next appearance is scheduled for July 16, 2019.

Panipakoocho has been remanded into custody and will appear before the Nunavut Court of Justice on July 16, 2019. Additional charges are being considered, police say.

“There remains significant concern around the safe storage of firearms in our communities. Everyone is responsible to ensure these are secured properly and that ammunition is stored away from the firearm,” said Iqaluit RCMP Cpl. Jamie Savikataaq in a news release.

Iqaluit RCMP and the Office of the Chief Coroner of Nunavut continue to investigate the matter involving the homicide, police say.