A new record has been set in Winnipeg-2011 is now the deadliest year ever for foul play, with just a little over a month left to go in the year.
A man pulled from a vacant apartment building that was on fire is Winnipeg's 35th homicide of the year. The previous record was set in 2004 with 34.
Harry Wellington Gegwetch, 42, was found in the building Saturday morning. He was pronounced dead in hospital.
Police say the man was found suffering from upper body injuries not related to the blaze.
"The injuries observed, suspicious in nature, appear to go beyond what one would have should they be subject to a fire," said Const. Jason Michalyshen of the Winnipeg Police Service.
Police say Gegwetch had no fixed address. Friends describe Gegwetch as a respected powwow dancer and "an extraordinary man who fell onto the wrong path in recent months."
Matthew Mosser talked to Gegwetch regularly. He said he's shocked to hear about the murder.
"He didn't deserve it, no one deserves it," he said.
Mosser said it's likely the man was in the vacant building to stay warm. Investigators are looking in to why he was there and how the fire started.
"An autopsy will provide us with further details with respect to cause of death and whether or not a weapon was used," said Michalyshen.
The homicide and arson units are investigating the incident, there have been no arrests.
-With a report from CTV's Ina Sidhu
