Family mourning father of 2 who died following possible ‘attack’ in Winnipeg

Family members of a man killed in what Winnipeg police are investigating as a homicide are calling for those responsible, or with any information, to come forward.

Loves ones of Vincent Brian Jeffrey Kipling say they have been robbed of a loving father and man who is being remembered as a bright light.

“He was a good person, he was able to just connect with anyone,” said his sister Madison Kipling.

“They took something they can’t give back, and that’s a son, a brother and a father.”

Kipling, a 31-year-old from Peguis First Nation, was found injured near Stella Avenue and Main Street on Wednesday around 10:50 p.m. after police were called for reports of an injured man.

Despite efforts to save his life on scene, Kipling, a father of two, was transported to hospital. He died of injuries sustained in what his family believe was an “attack.”

Vincent Brian Jeffrey Kipling, 31, was found injured in the area of Main Street and Stella Avenue on May 10, 2023. (Submitted by: Kipling family)

“It’s shocking,” said Madison.

His little sister Madison and mother Shannon say the loss has been devastating for the family and those who knew him. They describe him as someone who was able to make friends easily and was loved by many.

“It’s disbelief,” said Kipling’s mother. “It’s disbelief because he was a family member wherever he was. His walks. His journeys. Wherever his path was taking him there was family. The people that he met was family. He was considered family.”

Always there for his family and friends with an open ear, and without judgement, Kipling is being remembered as someone who loved to make people laugh, was also a comic and was starting his own business. Loved ones say he was in the process of a healing journey, getting in touch with his cultural identity through drumming, sweat lodge and men’s’ circles.

Family members are gathering for a candlelight vigil Sunday at 5 p.m. to honour Kipling’s memory. People will gather to lay tobacco and support the family as they deal with the loss.

Kipling’s mother feels more must be done to support Indigenous people who are struggling, saying they face too many barriers and “closed doors” when trying to access help or support through the systems in place.

“The opportunity for open doors has to be implemented on this community, in Canada, throughout Canada, because it has to stop,” said Shannon Kipling. “We don’t want violence. We shouldn’t’ be hurting each other. We are family and this is not our ancestral tribe ways and it is an epidemic.”

Intersection of Stella Avenue and Main Street. (Mike Sudoma/CityNews)

When contacted Saturday, the Winnipeg Police Service said it had no updates to provide on the investigation into Kipling’s death.

Anyone with information or footage of the incident around the area of Stella Avenue and Main St. is asked to contact WPS homicide unit or Crime Stoppers to report the information anonymously.