A London man charged with murder in the death of a man who was shot with an arrow is now charged with first degree murder.
Kevin Brandon Hartman, 35, was originally charged with second degree murder in the death of Brian Peter Maksoud, but police announced Wednesday that the charge has been upgraded to first degree murder. The charge stems from a February 5 incident that saw emergency crews rush to a home on Arbour Glen Crescent, near Kipps Lane where they found Maksoud, 46, of London suffering from a wound from an arrow.
Maksoud was taken to hospital for emergency surgery, but died from his injuries hours later. His death was the city’s second homicide of 2019. His death came a month after Nicholas Baltzis, 25, of London was fatally stabbed in a Notre Dame Drive townhouse on January 6.
The first degree murder charge implies that the murder of Maksoud was pre-meditated.
Police also announced charges against two other people. Paul Wayne O'Connell, 47, of London is charged with being an accessory after the fact to aggravated assault. Amanda Tait, 26, of no fixed address is charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. O'Connell is in police custody, but investigators are still searching for Tait.
"Tait’s whereabouts are currently unknown and a warrant for her arrest has been issued," police said in a statement issued Wednesday. "She is described as being approximately 4’11”, 110 pounds, with long blond hair and green eyes. She has numerous tattoos on her forearms, chest, waist, left calf, and right ankle."
Anyone with information about this incident and/or the whereabouts of Tait is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to www.londoncrimestoppers.com
