Southgate Centre attack victim dies in hospital

A 61-year-old man badly beaten in an attempted theft at Southgate Centre earlier this week has died in hospital, his family said Friday.

Iain Armstrong was taken to University of Alberta Hospital with life-threatening injuries after he tried to stop a thief at a nearby kiosk just after 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Armstrong worked at the Bunches Flower Co. outlet in the mall.

The company posted a message Friday afternoon to its official social media account from Armstrong ’s wife, Sharon, saying: “Tragically, due to catastrophic injury, Iain passed away at approximately 3 p.m. today. The entire family has felt covered in prayer throughout this ordeal, and send heartfelt thanks.”

Police continue to search for a male suspect in the violent theft.

The attack is the latest where a person unknown to an assailant was sent to hospital in life-threatening condition.

On Jan. 25, Nathan Helfrich died in hospital from stab wounds after a robbery at a bus stop west of 82 Street and 118 Avenue just before 11 p.m. the previous day. Helfrich and his twin brother were robbed at knifepoint and when the suspect attempted to take one of the brother’s glasses, the robber lunged forward, stabbing Helfrich in the chest.

A suspect, Jonathon Soosay, 21, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, robbery, attempted robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and breaching a probation order in that case.