An 18-year-old Kitchener man has been charged after a body was found behind Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute early Sunday morning.
Zachary Schultz is facing a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of 19-year-old John James.
Just after midnight on Saturday, emergency crews responded to a report of a man lying unresponsive on the ground near Stirling Avenue South between Charles Street and Courtland Avenue.
Waterloo Region police have determined that an altercation took place in the park area late Saturday night, resulting in James receiving fatal injuries.
An 18-year-old Kitchener female was also reportedly involved and was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
The investigation continues, but police say the incident does not appear to be in any way connected to the school and there are no other suspects.
In addition, Waterloo Regional Police Insp. Kevin Thaler says "At this point in the investigation it does not appear these men were known to one another."
There is no word yet on whether surveillance cameras in the area will be of any help in the investigation.
The body of James, who is also from Kitchener, was taken to Hamilton for an autopsy on Monday.
Police say they won't comment on the cause of death until those results are made available.
Schultz made a brief court appearance Monday afternoon and is expected to return to court on June 15.
No additional details can be revealed as there is a publication ban in place on the court proceedings.
Outside of the courthouse, James' friends gathered and told CTV News he was a kind and caring man who always had time for others.
"He had the most wonderful smile, he was the most caring guy. He would give you the shirt off his back. He was just an amazing, amazing friend and he is truly going to be missed," says Laura Napper.
David Porter says "He was a great friend, he was the one man you could always talk to no matter what. He always had a smile on his face."
