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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A 20-year-old man is dead after a fight at a house party on Loutitt Street in Frame Lake South last weekend.

RCMP were called to the scene of the incident shortly after midnight on Aug. 24. The man was said to be in need of medical attention after an altercation at the house party.

He was transported to Stanton Territorial Hospital by ambulance, then medevaced to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. The man was pronounced dead on Aug. 25.

A witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the victim punched another man, leading to a fight. In return, the other man rained blows upon the victim, knocking him to the ground, where he continued punching him until he was unconscious.

Onlookers crowded around the unconscious man, while witnesses said two individuals were attempting to provide CPR but were blocked by the crowd. Shortly after an ambulance and RCMP arrived.

The witness reported seeing a suspect being taken away by police.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Barry Ledoux said at this time they have no suspects in custody. Police are treating the death as suspicious.

RCMP Major Crimes Unit and Forensic Identification Services, along with Cathy Menard, chief coroner of the Northwest Territories, and the Alberta Medical Examiner's Office are assisting in the investigation.

Ledoux said their investigation has ramped up since the the man's death.

"Given the fact that we have a death, our investigation has taken a different direction," he said.

Ledoux said RCMP won't be releasing any additional information surrounding the incident because they are still in the preliminary stages of their investigation. He said police are still looking for witnesses and talking to people who were at the party.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this matter to contact Yellowknife RCMP or Crime Stoppers. The deceased's name is not being released at this time at the request of his family.

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