Police in Timmins said Friday that investigators have made “significant progress” looking into a murder that occurred in the area of Rea Street South shortly after midnight Aug. 1. Officers arrived to find three men suffering from gunshot wounds and called emergency services. Cole Lefaive, 32, was taken to hospital with vital signs absent and was later pronounced dead. “A second victim remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries, while the third victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released,” police said in a news release. First-degree murder charges “The investigation determined that the victims, along with another male, were attempting to enter a residence while armed with the intention of robbing individuals inside the home.” Two suspects from Timmins, ages 22 and 32, have been charged with one count each of first-degree murder and two counts each of attempted murder. Other charges include drug trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime worth more than $5,000 and several firearms offences. “The other individuals involved in the attempted home invasion have also been charged,” police said. One of the injured men, who has been released from hospital, has been charged with robbery, assault with a weapon, several firearms offences, wearing a disguise and failing to comply with a release order. Another suspect, who remains in hospital, is also charged with robbery, assault with a weapon and numerous weapons offences, along with a fourth home invasion suspect who managed to flee the scene unharmed. The final home invasion suspect, Lefaive, died as a result of his injuries. An evidence search was conducted at Aunor Beach on Aug. 12 in connection with the homicide. “The search was completed that day and Aunor Beach was reopened to the public later that evening,” police said. “The Balsam Street North homicide investigation remains active and ongoing.”
