SARNIA, ONT. -- Sarnia police say three suspects are in custody after a male died as a result of injuries sustained in an assault.
The male victim has been identified as 76-year-old James Wilson who also goes by Jim, says Const. Giovanni Sottosanti.
“His life was taking from him, from his grandchildren, from his family,” says Wilson’s son Gabriel.
Officers responded to an assault taking place in the 100 block of College Avenue North around 2:50 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival officers found Wilson injured on the ground.
The victim was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries.
Jim Wilson owned a store in downtown Sarnia called, Cowboys + Indians. Wilson’s son, Gabriel Wilson, says his father was an advocate for Indigenous rights and led a peaceful life.
“My world is in shambles. All he wanted was to live a normal life, a life with no violence,” says Gabriel.
According to police, three suspects were taken into custody following a brief investigation by members of Community Patrol, the Emergency Response Team and the Criminal Investigation Branch.
A friend of Wilson’s, Mike Sloan, says that Wilson’s shop has been broken into five times over the past year.
Sloan claims that Wilson was in the College area to confront individuals who allegedly stole from his store. Police have not confirmed these details.
Another neighbour who would like to remain anonymous, says that they heard a woman shouting from the street. The neighbour saw a woman and two men being placed into custody by police.
The neighbour says he saw an axe on the ground. Police have not confirmed that any weapon was present at the scene.
Const. Sottosanti says that police are looking to execute warrants at the address on College Street to gather more information.
Police say they are waiting on results from an autopsy to determine cause of death.
The family have been notified and a memorial is set up outside Wilson’s store.
Investigators have been canvassing the area.
