THUNDER BAY – A preliminary hearing is underway for a southern Ontario man charged in the 2022 shooting death of 24-year-old Michael Park, while charges against a co-accused local man have been withdrawn.
Javon Lascelle Myers, 26, of Toronto, appeared before Justice Elaine Burton in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Tuesday for the start of a three-week preliminary hearing on the charge of first-degree murder.
A preliminary hearing is part of the judicial process to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. All evidence presented during the preliminary hearing is subject to a publication ban.
Myers was first arrested and charged with first-degree murder in January 2023 in connection with Park’s death in October 2022.
Officers with the Thunder Bay Police Service responded to the area of May Street and Arthur Street on the afternoon of Oct. 7, 2022 for reports of gunfire.
A severely injured man, later identified as Park of Toronto, was located in the area. Park was transported to hospital but died from his injuries.
As part of the investigation, police first arrested 40-year-old Greg Meshake of Thunder Bay on Oct. 9, 2022 and charged him with first-degree murder.
A 16-year-old youth was arrested on Oct. 12 and also charged with first-degree murder.
The first-degree murder charge against Meshake was withdrawn in June.
The youth remains in custody with a future court date scheduled for the end of the month.