Two people are now dead after what police are calling a targeted attack in Duncan on Christmas Eve.
In an update on Sunday, Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit stated that a woman who was assaulted alongside her boyfriend on December 24th has succumbed to her injuries.
The couple was found injured by North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP officers at around 11 p.m. in the area of Trunk Road and Canada Avenue.
They were both transported to hospital where the man, identified online as Francois Shurie, was pronounced dead.
His girlfriend, identified by friends and family as Nellie Williams, died four days later on December 28th.
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According to the organizer of a GoFundMe fundraiser, Susie Cusson, Williams was attacked “while trying to protect her boyfriend”. Cusson also states that Williams was placed on life support after suffering from a major stroke.
Early indications
Investigators are now treating this case as a double homicide and believe it was a targeted attack.
While there is no information on whether anyone has been taken into custody or what type of weapon was used in the assault, police have identified two male persons of interest.
As officers continue to gather evidence and follow leads, they ask anyone with information to come forward.
Investigators are particularly interested in speaking to those who were in the area of Trunk Road and Duncan Street, or Canada Avenue between 10:30 and 11:00 p.m. on the night of December 24th, including those who may have dash cam footage or other video surveillance.
Witnesses or people with information can report what they know by calling the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit information line at 250-380-6211.
