SUNDRIDGE – Murder suspect and former Joly Township reeve Fred Preston has died.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit announced late Thursday night that Preston had died earlier that day from injuries sustained in an altercation with police on the morning of Monday, March 8. Preston was shot during the incident and was sent to Victoria Campus of the London Health Sciences Centre, where he was listed in critical condition until his death on March 11.
The OPP Criminal Investigation Branch charged Preston late Wednesday afternoon with a charge of first-degree murder and attempted murder. He was alleged to have shot and killed OPP constable Vu Pham and to have fired at least one shot at another officer.
The incident happened on North Line road, in Huron County near Seaforth, about 80 kms north of London.
The Special Investigations Unit is conducting an investigation into police actions that lead to Preston’s fatal injuries.
Funeral arrangements for Preston are unknown at this time. He was 70 years of age and was a longtime resident of the Sundridge area. He served on Joly council from 1991 until 2003 and was reeve for six of those years.