Jordan Braun, a 19-year-old Burnaby man, has been charged with second degree murder in the April 2015 death of Elmer Libertino, police said on Monday.
Braun had previously been charged four times with break and enter, Cpl. Meghan Foster of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said.
“There’s nothing to suggest that Mr. Libertino and Mr. Braun were known to each other,” she said.
Libertino, a 34-year-old father of three, was discovered by a police officer on routine patrol around 3 a.m. on April 16, 2015. Libertino was lying in a pool of blood in the middle of Moscrop Street at Smith Avenue in Burnaby.
He had travelled from Surrey by public transit to the area of Kingsway and Boundary some time between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., police said.
Libertino had no criminal record and no previous contact with the police.
His family issued a statement on Monday thanking relatives, friends and IHIT for support.
“We are thankful for sharing the precious life of a dearest son, an amazing brother, a trusted friend, a great and loving father and husband,” the statement read.
“He came to Canada with a great dream for himself, for his loving wife and for his three smart and beautiful kids, but he was taken away so soon.
“He is dearly missed every day.”
Braun is in custody and is scheduled to next appear in court on Nov. 30.
