A 14-year-old boy is facing potential homicide charges after a 73-year-old woman died from injuries sustained during a violent attack in Ste-Julienne earlier this week.
Charges Expected to Be Upgraded
The teenager, who cannot be identified under Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act, was initially charged with aggravated assault on Tuesday evening. However, Quebec provincial police confirmed Wednesday that these charges will likely be revised following the victim's death late Tuesday night.
The Sûreté du Québec arrested the suspect after finding him behind the wheel of a car that had gone off the road near the residence where the assault occurred in the Lanaudière region community.
Investigation Continues
Police authorities continue to examine the crime scene and are awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death. The violent incident occurred during the early hours of Tuesday at a Ste-Julienne residence, though specific details about the relationship between the victim and suspect or the circumstances leading to the attack have not been disclosed.
The teen appeared in Quebec Youth Court on Tuesday and remains in custody. He is expected to return to court on Wednesday as the legal proceedings develop.
Community Shock and Legal Process
The case has shocked the Ste-Julienne community, with residents grappling with the violent death of a senior citizen and the involvement of a young teenager. Under Canadian youth justice laws, the accused cannot be named due to his age, regardless of the severity of the charges.
As the investigation progresses, police are working to piece together the events that led to this tragic outcome. The upgrade from aggravated assault to homicide charges reflects the serious nature of the case following the victim's death.
