Guelph man in custody for alleged murder now charged with attempted murder months earlier

The Guelph man already facing a second-degree murder charge in connection to a July homicide has now been charged with attempted murder in a separate investigation.

The 43-year-old was arrested in July after human remains were found behind a business near the Speed River close to downtown. He’s been in custody since.

On Wednesday, Guelph police announced new charges had been laid in connection to an assault at a downtown residential building in May. The victim, an adult man, was severely injured and left with “permanent physical damage,” police said.

The new charges include attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault with a weapon and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Police say both incidents happened in the downtown core in the area of Wyndham Street and Carden Street.

“As the result of some new information which came to light, subsequently investigators realized the suspect in the homicide and the suspect in what we know was an alleged attempted murder was the same person,” said Scott Tracey, a spokesperson with the Guelph Police Service.

In the May assault, police say the accused and the victim knew each other, adding there is no threat to public safety and police are unaware of any related incidents involving the man who is now behind bars.

People who live in downtown Guelph say they try to avoid the area when they can.

“With GO and transit there, you got people coming in from out of town,” said a Guelph resident.

The 43-year-old Guelph man’s next court date is set for Oct. 14.