3 people arrested in connection with homicide at beer vendor
CBC
Three people have been arrested in connection with the killing of a 19-year-old man working at a beer vendor in Winnipeg.
John Barrion was killed on Feb. 15 while working at the Travelodge by Wyndham Winnipeg hotel on Notre Dame Avenue.
Winnipeg police confirmed Monday in a news conference that the homicide involved an armed robbery followed by a shooting.
Two of the men have been charged with second-degree murder, and one has been charged with manslaughter.
William Arthur Sampson, 37, was arrested Feb. 25 after a search warrant was executed at a home in Grant Park. Sampson has been charged with second-degree murder and armed robbery using a firearm.
Ryan Jeron Smith, 40, was arrested Feb. 25 in the William Whyte neighbourhood and charged with second degree murder and armed robbery using a firearm.
Robert Gordon Francis, 37, was arrested on February 16 at a traffic stop on Notre Dame Avenue and Isabel Street. He has been charged with manslaughter and armed robbery using a firearm.
All three also received multiple additional charges.
Police said the robbery was random and the suspects did not know Barrion.
"This is a very sad incident ... the victim, John Barrion, was very beloved in his community. And he was working," Const. Dani McKinnon told reporters.
"This was an unexpected set of circumstances where this robbery took place and he was shot."
On Feb. 19, a group of over 200 people gathered at a vigil for Barrion outside the beer vendor where he was killed. The vigil was organized by a Filipino watch group, 204 Neighbourhood Watch.
The Barrion family moved to Winnipeg from the Philippines. John was working at the vendor to save money for college. His friends said he dreamed of studying to become a chef.
The Winnipeg police also gave an update on the homicide of 22-year-old Jorden James Batemen.
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WARNING: This story contains profanity and details of racist language.