A charge of second-degree murder has been laid against a 29-year-old Nanaimo man in connection with a “random” homicide in a North Nanaimo coffee shop on Saturday morning.
Police were called to Buzz Coffee in a strip mall on Rutherford Road at the Island Highway for a wellness check on Saturday at 9 a.m., and discovered a dead adult male. Another male was arrested at the scene.
Police have said there is no evidence to suggest the two men knew each other.
“Investigators are confident that based on the evidence collected to date, there was no connection between the deceased and the individual arrested at the scene, and that this was a random incident with a tragic outcome,” said Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Nanaimo RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit executed two search warrants at separate locations in relation to the homicide.
Police are asking anyone who arrived at Buzz Coffee between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Saturday and saw anything that may be considered suspicious to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line, and quote file # 2022-4898.
James Turok has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death. Police said Turok remains in custody while he awaits his next court appearance.
