Two teens accused of killing a 19-year-old Burnaby man last spring have had their charges upgraded to a more serious offence.
On Thursday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced the two men involved in the death of Luka Gordic are now facing second-degree murder charges.
The two men, 18-year-old Arvin Golic, and another teen who can’t be named because he was 17 at the time, were originally charged with manslaughter in the case.
In all, four people have been charged for their alleged connections to the stabbing death of Gordic in Whistler during the May long weekend.
Two other youths have also been charged with manslaughter.
According to investigators, Gordic's death is the result of an altercation between two groups of young people that escalated into violence.
It appears someone came forward with information that helped upgrade the charge, based on the IHIT press release.
“On behalf of the IHIT investigators who worked tirelessly on this investigation, I would like to thank the public who came forward with information crucial to moving this matter forward,” said Sgt. Stephanie Ashton, spokesperson for IHIT.
IHIT noted the men turned themselves in to face the upgraded charges and will be released with conditions.
Around 12:30 a.m. on May 17, Whistler RCMP received reports of an incident near Main Street. When officers arrived they found Luka Gordic injured. The 19-year-old was taken to a local clinic with life-threatening injuries, and died a short time later, according to a media release from Whistler Mounties.
Gordic graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School in 2014.
