The man who evaded police for nearly three weeks in the Timmins area has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
South Porcupine OPP says that 43-year-old Lucas MacDonald of Egan Township is charged with first degree murder and attempt to commit murder using a firearm.
He was arrested yesterday (June 13) on Night Hawk Lake in Timmins' east end.
During the arrest on Moose Island, there was an exchange of gunfire and an OPP officer was shot. The officer is in hospital in stable condition and expected to recover from his injuries.
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit's mandate has been invoked.
RELATED: 'Exchange of gunfire' in arrest of wanted man in Timmins: SIU
Yesterday's arrest is the culmination of a manhunt that started on May 23 when the body of Marcel Thoma — who, according to his obituary, was a Master Bombardier with the 2nd Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Garrison, Petawawa — was found in a wooded area in Egan Township, southwest of Matheson.
The accused is in police custody and slated to appear in court on June 14.
None of the charges have been proven in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Anyone with information on Wednesday's incident, including video or photos, should contact the SIU lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
Anyone with information on the police investigation should call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.