A man who was attacked after randomly encountering a group of four men in St. Catharines in August has died in hospital, police say.
The 68-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries on Aug. 27.
Niagara Regional Police Service homicide detectives now say an initial charge of aggravated assault against a suspect has been upgraded to second degree murder.
On Aug. 10, officers attended the area of Merritt Street and Townline Rd. E. in St. Catharines for a welfare check, police said in a news release.
Police say they it was determined a man had been assaulted and injured.
Niagara EMS attended and transported the victim to hospital with serious injuries.
Investigators later determined the victim was in the area of Merritt Street and Townline Road East in St. Catharines when he randomly encountered a group of men.
Moments after the encounter, one of the males approached the victim and repeatedly struck him, leaving the victim injured on the ground.
Detectives identified a suspect from the Niagara Region of no fixed address who had ties to St. Catharines and Thorold.
A warrant for his arrest was issued on the charge of aggravated assault.
The suspect was encouraged to seek legal counsel and turn himself in to the NRPS.
On Aug. 20, detectives appealed to the public for information that may lead to the location and arrest of Raymond Douglas Warner, 34, of no fixed address.
Within hours of the public appeal, detectives were able to locate and arrest Warner in St. Catharines.
Warner appeared in court on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on the upgraded charges and was remanded into custody.
None of the allegations have been proven in court and Warner is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
