‘We simply need a break’: WRPS Chief provides update on September homicide of Joshua Bennett
The region's police chief is appealing to the public for assistance – as the Waterloo Region Police Service continues to investigate the homicide of 18-year-old Joshua Bennett, a young man from Etobicoke studying as a carpentry and renovation technician at Conestoga College.
According to the service, Bennett was found dead near a trail in the Paulander Drive area of Kitchener – as a post-mortem examination determined he had succumb to multiple stab wounds.
Speaking to the continued investigation as a guest on the Mike Farwell Show, Chief Larkin said investigators have been working diligently, engaging with the Paulander neighbourhood to gather information and review available digital evidence – though he said he believes there's still individuals out there with information that could assist in their work.
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“… we also believe there are a number of individuals who are being uncooperative, or there's also individuals within the Paulander neighbourhood that have more information and have not shared that with the police service for different reasons.”
Larkin noted that homicides in particularly have a “circle of impact” on the community, and while he understands that members of Bennett's family have expressed concern regarding the pace of the investigation, he said that there are “complexities” that are exacerbated by those that don't want to come forward and share information regarding what they may have witnessed.
“We simply need a break. We need someone's good conscience to realize that there's a mother… and there's a family in extreme grief – and we're attempting to be the voice of Mr. Bennett; we're attempting to be their voice to ensure we can advance this matter into the judicial system.”
While Larkin said investigators have done “a lot of due diligence” and work in uncovering further information that could assist in their work, he said they've been following up with individuals in the neighbourhood for a lead that “actually starts advancing the case.”
Anyone with information that could help police with their investigation is asked to contact the service's Major Crimes Unit at 519-570-9777 ext. 8191, while community members can also leave anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
