Forty-one-year-old Shane Stanford is facing second-degree murder charges relating to the Tuesday, Aug. 11 death of 23-year-old Courtenay resident Kevin Burns.
At approximately 10:39 p.m. Aug. 11, the Comox Valley RCMP responded to an incident in the downtown area of Courtenay.
Upon arriving at the scene, police located a 23-year-old man, later identified as Burns, suffering from serious injuries. BC Ambulance Service Paramedics transported Burns to St. Joseph’s General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Stanford made his first court appearance in Courtenay Friday morning, where the case was adjourned until Aug. 27.
Stanford is known to police. He has at least four other files from this year alone, including assault of a peace officer and possession of stolen property.
Identified as a Courtenay resident, Stanford graduated from Carihi High School in Campbell River in 1991.
If you have any information that may assist investigators in this case, please call the Comox Valley RCMP at 338-1321 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
Community in mourning
A crowd funding page has been set up in an effort to help the Burns family with the funeral expenses.
To contribute to the fund, go to www.gofundme.com/e8kwc3kg
The Courtenay Return-It Depot has also set up an account for people to contribute their bottle deposits to the cause.