Murder Charge Withdrawn in Windsor Hospital Parking Lot Homicide
A Windsor man who delivered a critically injured friend to a hospital parking lot earlier this year has had his first-degree murder charge withdrawn, though he continues to face serious firearms charges in connection with the city's first homicide of 2026.
Fatal Discovery at Hospital Parking Lot
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, emergency personnel discovered a 44-year-old man unconscious in the parking lot of Windsor Regional Hospital's Met campus shortly after 5:30 a.m. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by medical staff, the victim was pronounced dead in the emergency room a short time later. The Windsor Star has confirmed the man died from a gunshot wound.
The victim, a father of four children, had been transported to the hospital by Brandon Leigh, 31, who was subsequently arrested by Windsor police emergency services unit members at a residence on Broderick Road in LaSalle later that same day.
Court Proceedings and Charge Withdrawal
During a Friday appearance at Ontario Court of Justice, regional Crown attorney Meredith Gardiner advised Justice Sharon Murphy that the prosecution was withdrawing the first-degree murder charge against Leigh. The decision came after both Leigh and Robert Joseph Labrecque, 25, had been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting.
"He's relieved, he was never responsible for that death," Leigh's lawyer Dan Scott told reporters outside the courtroom. Scott confirmed his client and the deceased were friends and that "my guy drove him to the hospital."
Remaining Firearms Charges and Bail Conditions
Despite the murder charge being withdrawn, Leigh still faces two serious criminal counts related to the fatal incident: trafficking in a firearm and having a firearm in a motor vehicle. The Crown did not oppose Leigh's release on bail pending resolution of these firearms charges, with the prosecution electing to proceed by indictment.
Leigh was granted bail after his mother posted $5,000 and was released from jail with strict conditions. He must reside with his mother and surety in LaSalle and was ordered not to communicate with a list of individuals, including co-accused Labrecque. Justice Murphy cautioned that any breaches could result in difficulty obtaining bail again in the future.
Ongoing Investigation and Additional Arrest
Six days after the initial incident, on February 24, members of the Windsor Police Service's problem-oriented policing unit arrested Robert Joseph Labrecque in the 500 block of Windsor Avenue on outstanding warrants for breaching his probation. Both men had originally been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the homicide.
Police and prosecution officials have maintained limited public disclosure regarding specific details of the ongoing homicide investigation. However, a justice system source confirmed to The Windsor Star that the fatally injured victim had indeed been shot.
Outside the courtroom, Scott reminded Leigh and his mother that Windsor and LaSalle police have intensified enforcement efforts against those found to be in breach of any terms of their release while on bail or serving probation periods.
