A 60-year-old man who died after being attacked while out walking on the Iron Horse Trail in Kitchener has been identified as John Luis Ferreira.
Ferreira was walking with his 35-year-old son near West Avenue shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve when they were approached by two suspects.
Neighbours say they were returning to Ferreira's home on West Avenue from festivities at Kitchener City Hall, to ring in the New Year with the rest of the family.
According to police a verbal fight turned into a physical one, and Ferreira was stabbed at least once. He was later pronounced dead in hospital.
An autopsy has determined Ferreira died of a single stab wound to the chest. His son was treated for a stab wound to his neck and has since been released from hospital.
Waterloo Regional Police Insp. Greg Lamport says "They met up with the two suspects at the footbridge a short distance from West Avenue in the City of Kitchener. At that time a physical altercation occurred and as a result the victim was stabbed…the second male, the son of the deceased, did receive a single stab wound to the neck area."
Police continue to canvass the neighbourhood to see if anyone has additional information about what might have happened that night.
There is no information on the type of weapon that was used or the motive for the attack.
The first suspect is described as a white male, 6', in his late teens to early 20s with a very thin build, a shaved head and wearing dark clothing.
The second suspect is described as a white male, 5'9", in his late teens to early 20s with short dark brown hair and wearing dark clothing.
Those like Hugh Byrne who use the trail regularly say they would never take it on a dark night, as it has become a regular hangout for pan handlers, some of whom are aggressive.
Byrne says "I'd like to see a solution to that problem, they get rather aggressive when you say no."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police at 519-653-7700 Ext. 4499 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Second assault on same trail
A 47-year-old Kitchener man received minor injuries after he was assaulted by two males on the Iron Horse Trail near Queen Street South in Kitchener on Sunday evening around 6:15 p.m.
Waterloo Regional Police say one of the two male suspects was verbally abusive, then head butted the victim, punched him several times and threatened him.
The suspects were last seen walking north along the trail.
The first suspect is described as male, white, 6' tall, about 200 lbs, 20-22 years of age with short hair at the front, a day's growth of facial hair, no accent and wearing a white hoodie over a light-coloured coat and dark pants.
The second suspect is described as a white male about 5'8" to 5'9" tall.
Police say this assault has not been linked to the New Year's Eve homicide.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police.