Man charged in 2 shooting deaths, including Jeanenne Fontaine's

A 34-year-old man has beencharged in the shooting deaths of two Winnipeggers, just a few houses apart in the same North End neighbourhood.

BryerPrysiazniuk-Settee, 24, was shot near Powers Street and Aberdeen Avenue on Feb. 8.

Jeanenne Fontaine, 29, was shot March 14 in the back of the head inside her home on the 400 block of Aberdeen, which was then set on fire.

Both cases are related to the drug trade in the city, according to police.

"We believe the two incidents were connected to the trafficking of methamphetamine," said spokesperson Const. Jay Murray.

"However with the homicide of Jeanenne, the individuals attended the residence in an attempt to locate a male. Jeanenne was not the intended victim."

Christopher Mathew Brass is charged with second-degree murder in the case of Settee and manslaughter in the case ofFontaine.

"I don't even know how to express what I'm feeling. I just know that it feels like someone is grabbing a hold of my heart and tugging at it every which way,"saidPrysiazniuk-Settee'smom,GinaSettee.

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Prysiazniuk-Setteewas shot at a residence and then made his way to the 400 block of Aberdeen, close to Fontaine's house, where he collapsed, police said. A passerby found him and called 911.

Having an arrest brings some relief, Settee said, not just to herself but to her son.

Man charged in 2 shooting deaths

7 years ago

Duration 2:00

For three months Gina Settee had no idea how or why her son Bryer Prysiazniuk- Settee was killed. Now someone is behind bars -- but she isn't feeling any relief.

"There's somewhat of a peace, I suppose, that makes me feel like Bryer's at peace now. I don't think he was resting well, so it gives me some peace in my heart for that purpose."

Fontaine,a mother of three,was shot in the back of the head, according to family. She was rushed to hospital but died a few days later, after being taken off life support.

A charge of arsondisregard for human life has also been laid against Brass.

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Two other men are also charged in connection to the killing of Fontaine, who is the cousin of TinaFontaine, the 15-year-old whosebody was pulled from the Red River in 2014.

Tina Fontaine's death became one of the country's best-known cases of murdered Indigenous women and girls.

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Malcolm Miles Mitchell, 24, is charged with second-degree murder and arsondisregard for human life. Jason Michael Meilleur, 38, is charged with manslaughter.

All three men were already in the WinnipegRemand Centre for other incidents when they were arrested on Tuesday.

Brass andMitchellhad been there since early May for "a series of unrelated violent offences," Murray said.Meilleurhas also been in remand since early May for violating court orders.

All three have street gang associations but Murray said police do not believe the shootings were directed by a gang.

• Gang member plans to resume criminal ways on release: report

Brass, a known member of the Indian Posse, has a long criminal history and, according to parole boarddocuments, is an unrepentant prisoner when he is behind bars.

In 2009,when he was released after serving a 6-year sentence for a violent robbery spree and for assaulting a prison guard,Brass flat out saidhe would continue to commit crime and collect welfare.

Police are cited in the parole report from that time as saying Brass assaults people for sheer enjoyment and thinks robbery is the easiest way to make a buck.