NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On Monday, April 12, 2021, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Niagara Regional Police (NRPS) 1 District (St. Catharines) uniform officers responded to the parking lot of Oakridge Public School, 1 Marsdale Drive, in the City of St. Catharines for reports of a male laying on the ground.
When police arrived, they located 32-year-old Yan Jing with gunshot wounds.
Jing was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
A subsequent investigation by NRPS Homicide Detectives discovered that Jing was the target of an alleged robbery that occurred during a currency exchange.
In these incidents, the victims arrange with the suspects to exchange Canadian currency for Chinese currency at what they believed would be a cheaper rate than offered by financial institutions. When the victims arrive at the meeting location, they are robbed of the money that they brought to exchange.
After a lengthy investigation, police have identified and arrested three people in relation to this homicide.
On Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 25-year-old Heng “Allen” Du, a Chinese National, from Richmond Hill, was charged with the following offences:
- Accessory after the fact to murder contrary to section 240 of the Criminal Code; and
- Breach of probation contrary to section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code.
Du appeared for a bail hearing on August 20, 2021 and was remanded into custody.
On Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 22-year-old Fang “Fionna” Wang, a Chinese National, from Richmond Hill, was charged with the following offence:
- First degree murder contrary to section 235(1) of the Criminal Code.
Wang appeared for a bail hearing on August 28, 2021 and was remanded into custody.
On Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, 20-year-old Jiapeng “Jimmy” Wu, a Chinese National, from Toronto, was charged with the following offence:
- First degree murder contrary to section 235(1) of the Criminal Code.
Wu is expected to make a video bail court appearance on September 02, 2021 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.
Homicide Detectives would like to acknowledge and thank members of the public that assisted police with this investigation. The Niagara Regional Police Service would also like to thank the York Regional Police Service #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Toronto Police Service for their assistance in this investigation.
The investigation into this homicide remains ongoing as police believe that there are more persons responsible for this crime.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at (905) 688-4111 ext 1009132 or CrimeStoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
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