A quiet St. Thomas neighborhood became the scene of a tragedy that began with escalating disturbances and ended with a life lost. Duke Wilson, 34, now faces manslaughter charges after an August altercation resulted in the death of 65-year-old Hien Nguyen.
The incident unfolded at a multi-unit building where Wilson was reportedly causing a significant disruption. Witnesses described him yelling, banging on doors, and generally creating a disturbance for residents. This culminated in a violent act: Wilson allegedly pushed two tenants down a staircase.
Hien Nguyen suffered serious injuries in the fall and was rushed to the hospital, where he fought for his life for weeks. He tragically succumbed to his injuries on September 12th, leaving behind a grieving family – three children, five grandchildren, and eight siblings.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Police records reveal a disturbing pattern of interactions with Wilson in the months leading up to the assault. In less than two months, officers responded to 28 separate calls involving him, including four on the very day of the altercation.
At the time of his arrest, Wilson was already under three probation orders, one of which specifically required him “to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.” He also faces two counts of assault and charges for failing to comply with probation.
The case has ignited a broader conversation about repeat offenders and the challenges faced by smaller cities grappling with chronic criminality. St. Thomas Police Chief Mark Roskamp has been vocal about systemic failures within the justice system contributing to the problem.
Chief Roskamp recently addressed a committee of MPs, highlighting that nearly one-third of all charges laid by St. Thomas police in the past three years were related to failures to comply with court orders. He has become a prominent critic of the current bail system, advocating for changes to address repeat violent offenses.
This homicide marks a rare occurrence in St. Thomas, a city that has seen only three homicides in the last decade. The community is now grappling with the loss of Hien Nguyen and the unsettling details surrounding his death.
The city is also investigating two other recent deaths as homicides. Michael Mitchell is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his brother, Jeffrey Mitchell, while Nathan Deleemans and Jason Daniel face charges in connection with the death of Victoria Dill.
