Suspect in movie theatre homicide has preliminary hearing in December

THUNDER BAY – The suspect charged in the stabbing death of a 20-year-old man outside a city movie theatre will have a preliminary hearing by the end of the year.

Shane Patrick Ashpanaquestcum, who faces a charge of second degree murder in the death of Daniel Levac, had his case called at the Thunder Bay Courthouse on Tuesday.

Ashpanaquestcum was not present in court and was instead represented by lawyer George Joseph. The suspect was previously released on bail. 

The charges stem from an altercation outside the SilverCity movie theatre on Oct. 3.

Emergency responders were called to the scene shortly after 10:30 p.m., where Levac was found in medical distress. He was rushed to hospital where he died.

Ashpanaquestcum, who is from Summer Beaver First Nation, was arrested by officers a short distance away from the theatre. He allegedly was in possession of a weapon at the time of his arrest.

Police previously said the two were not known to each other and alcohol was a factor.

Levac, who was from Sachigo Lake First Nation, was in Thunder Bay attending Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School.

The case will be before the courts again for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 11, before continuing from Dec. 14-17.

None of the charges have been proven in court.