Thunder Bay Man Facing Attempted Murder Charge After Bear Spray Investigation

THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay police have laid an attempted murder charge against Drew Bishop Mitchell following an investigation into an alleged bear spray assault from October 2025.

Court information reviewed by NetNewsLedger indicates Mitchell, 32, appeared in court on Friday, May 1, 2026, where the attempted murder charge was addressed. Mitchell was in court in Thunder Bay for a bail hearing, under a show cause basis as well as bail hearings on the new charges.

Mitchell also faces a first-degree murder charge stemming from his hammer attack on a Thunder Bay senior who died as a result of his injuries.

The latest allegation involves Christopher Kuzior-Alexiou, 40, who police allege was the victim of an attempted murder on Oct. 6, 2025.

Charge Follows Earlier Aggravated Assault Allegation

Mitchell was previously charged with aggravated assault following an alleged bear spray attack on Oct. 6, 2025. Police now allege the incident amounted to attempted murder.

Attempted murder is one of the most serious offences in the Criminal Code.

Under Section 239, a person convicted of attempting to commit murder is liable to imprisonment for life. In cases where no firearm is alleged, the maximum penalty remains life imprisonment.

Aggravated assault is covered under Section 268 of the Criminal Code. The offence applies where a person wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers the life of the complainant.

A conviction carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Mitchell Also Before Courts In Hendrick Walinga Homicide Case

Mitchell remains in custody on a separate first-degree murder charge in the death of 85-year-old Hendrick Walinga.

Thunder Bay Police Service said officers responded to the Red River Road and Clarkson Avenue area on Oct. 11, 2025, after an 85-year-old man was found with serious injuries.

Police said Mitchell was charged with attempted murder on Oct. 14, 2025, following that investigation. After Walinga died from his injuries, police upgraded the charge to first-degree murder on Jan. 19, 2026.

NetNewsLedger’s original Oct. 15, 2025, report said police had described the Red River Road and Clarkson Avenue incident as a serious and apparently random assault. The report also noted Mitchell had appeared in court on Oct. 14 and was remanded into custody.

What First-Degree Murder Means Under Canadian Law

First-degree murder is defined under Section 231 of the Criminal Code. Murder is first-degree murder when it is planned and deliberate, and the Criminal Code also classifies some killings as first-degree murder because of the circumstances in which they occur.

A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence, with parole eligibility rules applying under Canadian law. The new attempted murder charge connected to the alleged bear spray assault is a separate matter from the Walinga homicide case.

What is a Show Cause Bail Hearing?

A Show Cause hearing, often called a bail hearing or judicial interim release hearing, is where a justice decides whether an accused person should be released from custody while their case moves through the courts. In most cases, the Crown must “show cause” why the accused should remain detained.

The court may also consider whether release can be managed with conditions, such as reporting to police, living at a specific address, avoiding contact with named people, staying away from certain places, or following a curfew.

Under Section 515(10) of the Criminal Code, detention can be justified on three main grounds: to ensure the accused attends court, to protect public safety, including victims and witnesses, and to maintain public confidence in the administration of justice.

The seriousness of the allegation, the strength of the Crown’s case, any criminal record, previous breaches of court orders, and the proposed release plan can all be considered. In some cases, including certain serious offences or offences allegedly committed while already on release, the hearing may involve a “reverse onus,” meaning the accused must show why they should be released rather than the Crown having to show why they should be detained.

A Show Cause hearing is not a trial. The accused is not found guilty or innocent at this stage, and the allegations are not decided. The court is only deciding whether the accused will remain in custody or be released while presumed innocent and awaiting the next steps in the case. If release is granted, breaching bail conditions can lead to new charges and may affect future bail decisions.

Presumption Of Innocence

All charges before the court are allegations. Mitchell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Why This Matters In Thunder Bay

The new attempted murder charge adds another serious allegation to an already closely watched court file. For Thunder Bay residents, the case raises continuing concerns about violent incidents in public spaces, the pressures facing police investigators and the impact serious criminal cases have on victims, families, neighbourhoods and the justice system.
NetNewsLedger will continue to follow the matter as verified court and police information becomes available.