Teen boy in hospital ‘primary suspect’ in park slaying, accused girl’s lawyer says

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This article was published 02/03/2022 (932 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A yet-to-be arrested teen boy is the “primary suspect” in a Winnipeg man’s slaying in Assiniboine Park, says the lawyer representing a 15-year-old girl charged Tuesday with second-degree murder.

“It’s important for the public to understand there is a co-accused,” David Walker said Thursday. “Our position will be that the co-accused is the primary suspect.”

The body of 43-year-old Paul Enns was found early Saturday morning in a car parked in a secluded lot off Conservatory Drive, just north of Corydon Avenue.

A park security officer alerted police after approaching the car and finding Enns dead inside, a city hall source told the Free Press Wednesday.

Walker said a male suspect was in hospital for treatment of an ailment unrelated to the killing and was expected to be arrested as soon as his condition allowed.

Police have not released any details about how Enns was killed and whether he knew the arrested teen.

Walker suggested his client, who he described as a “small, meek girl,” with no criminal record, would not be physically able to inflict the “very serious injuries” Enns suffered.

“The injuries to the victim are not commensurate to that kind of accused… there is no way to square it,” he said.

Walker would not comment on the circumstances that allegedly brought Enns and his client together.

“It’s definitely our position she is completely innocent,” he said. “We are going to fight this vigorously. The primary suspect is not in custody.”

The Stonewall girl, who has also been charged with one count of robbery, remains in custody. Her next court date is scheduled Tuesday.

A Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson would not confirm whether a second suspect has been identified.

“We have nothing further to add at this time,” Const. Jay Murray said Thursday.

A source familiar with the investigation told the Free Press Wednesday another suspect was expected to be arrested.

According to his social media profiles, Enns was single and a self-employed developer of cryptocurrency financial software and apps. He had worked various jobs in recent years, including tech support and sales.

According to childhood friend Rick Thornton, Enns said he became a self-made millionaire a few years ago through cryptocurrency investments, but he no longer had the same wealth. At the time of his death, he was investing in cryptocurrency projects, Thornton said.

Enns is Winnipeg’s eighth homicide victim of 2022.

Anyone with information about Enns’ death is asked to call the Winnipeg Police Service major crimes unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca