The victim of a vicious hammer attack earlier this week has died in hospital, Brandon police say, leading to second-degree murder charges.
Police were called to a scene on 15th Street Monday afternoon, where a man with severe head trauma from being allegedly struck with a hammer was pulled from a burning house by firefighters.
A second man was also wounded by a hammer, but not seriously.
Police said the fire appeared to have been set deliberately, and they found a canister of accelerant after the blaze had been extinguished, as well as a hammer believed to have been used in the attacks.
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The first victim was taken to hospital in Brandon, then airlifted to Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, where he died of his injuries two days later.
The suspect, 32-year-old Ryan Mecas, was arrested nearby and charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and arson with disregard for human life. At the Brandon Correctional Centre Thursday, he was charged with second-degree murder.
Police said the victims and suspect knew each other. The investigation continues.