A man faces a charge of second-degree murder following the death of a Victoria senior who was assaulted and later died in hospital.
Detectives arrested Michael George King on Tuesday. He remains in custody pending a court appearance this month.
King was initially charged with aggravated assault on March 6 after police called to a multi-unit residential building in the Cook Street Village area found a 70-year-old man suffering from life-threatening injuries.
The victim was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries on March 15.
King now faces a charge of second-degree murder.
The victim was identified in court documents as Michael Jones. His family said in an obituary in the Times Colonist they were “devastated” by the “sudden death of our brother Mike.”
“Mike had a huge heart and would help anyone, anytime,” the family said. “He was an avid soccer fan, having played from a very young age up until his 20s. He grew up in Saanich and some of his fondest memories were of playing soccer at Reynolds Park. Mike treasured family and friends, had a wicked sense of humour, told really bad jokes, enjoyed good food, and was a great cook.”
The family said Jones always had part-time jobs growing up, worked in the grocery business and then moved on to construction, where he built and renovated homes in Greater Victoria over 40 years.
“He always had a strong work ethic and worked hard his whole life.”
VicPD said Wednesday it would provide no further comment as the matter is now before the courts.
Members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team had been called to the 400-block of Chester Avenue to find a suspect in an aggravated assault investigation.
The street was closed with police and fire officials on the scene after potential hazardous materials were discovered in a unit in the building.
Police evacuated nearby units and called for assistance from the Victoria Fire Department, Capital Regional District hazardous materials crews and RCMP officers who deal with illegal drug labs.
Streets were closed off for several hours until the building was deemed safe.
