Girlfriend claims 22-year-old died trying to defend her in Winnipeg’s 15th homicide of 2023

Police say a Winnipeg man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 22-year-old in the city’s North End Tuesday.

Homicide unit investigators believe there was a dispute and physical altercation between two groups on Salter Street near Burrows Avenue around 3:45 a.m.

Police allege the suspect stabbed the victim, who has been identified as Alan Henry Anderson of Winnipeg. Anderson was taken to hospital in critical condition where he died of his injuries.

Scene of homicide at Salter Street and Burrows Avenue May 30, 2023. (CityNews)

“It was so unnecessary,” said the girlfriend, who is not being named for safety reasons. “They just came up to us.”

She claims Anderson was trying to protect her with bear spray after a member of the other group tried to stab her during the altercation, which she claims the other group started.

“He was trying to defend me and I was defending him too, we were both trying to help each other in the situation.”

Both his girlfriend and another friend who were on scene tried to save Anderson’s life, performing CPR on him and trying to stop the bleeding, but he’d die in hospital as a result of his injuries.

She says while he had his struggles, he was trying to do better and was getting in touch with his faith and God.

“His heart, it was really hurt, but he had a big heart for people out there … even though he was hurt, he tried to help others and make them laugh [flash] He had a life ahead of him, you know?”
Anderson’s mother, Amanda who didn’t want to be recorded, said he was a loving brother and was loved dearly by his family, who are remembering him as full of energy and full of life.

Answering questions via social media, she recalls a moment when he was in kindergarten, when she asked him what he wanted to be and he answered “a dad,” saying it’s heartbreaking that dream will never come true for the 22-year-old.

His death, Winnipeg’s 15th homicide of 2023, is part of a larger trend in the city, as recent statistics released by the Winnipeg Police Service show the city is facing the highest rate of violent crime in more than a decade with last year seeing a record breaking number of homicides at 53.

Scene of homicide at Salter Street and Burrows Avenue May 30, 2023. (CityNews)

WPS investigators say they identified a suspect and arrested him roughly 45 minutes later on Mountain Avenue.

Cory Dylan Watt, 24, has been charged with manslaughter and failure to comply with the condition of a release order. He was detained in custody.

Police say the suspect and victim were not previously known to one another.

No further arrests are expected in the case, police say.

For those who knew Anderson, they say it is comforting to know that someone has been charged in connection to his death, but they hope given the circumstances, they want others involved in the alleged attack are also charged, saying they hope those responsible for his death will eventually face a murder charge, as opposed to manslaughter.

Anderson’s family are now trying to raise money to cover funeral costs and police say they do not anticipate any further arrests regarding the death.

-With files form Morgan Modjeski, CityNews