A 40-year-old Edmonton man has been left paralyzed after being sucker-punched in an unprovoked attack outside a Whyte Avenue nightclub.

CTV has learned Darin Paquette is now a quadriplegic after being assaulted near the H20 lounge,at 100th St. and Whyte Ave., around 2:30 a.m. on June 27th.

Edmonton police revealed the extent of the man's injuries today in a continuing plea to the public to help track down the suspects.

Investigators say two groups were exchanging words outside the nightspot when Paquette and another man left the bar, unintentionally attracting the attention of several people in the larger group.

As the two walked across a parking lot to Whyte Avenue, it's believed three men and a woman jumped into a silver or gray SUV, pursuing them.

All three men then got out of the vehicle and it's believed one of them hit Paquette, causing him to fall backwards off a small retaining wall.

"One thing I want to impress upon the public is this was a true victim. He certainly didn't bring this upon himself," said Detective Calvin Mah on Thursday.

"He has an elderly mother who is faced with the prospect of looking after him in her golden years and he is in our opinion here, a true victim and he deserves some measure of justice."

Meanwhile, one of Paquette's former co-workers says the victim was far from aggressive, and can't believe what happened to him.

"Darin's just the guy who wouldn't hurt a fly, and a person who's always helpful. He just loves life," said Grant Tarapacki.

Investigators are now looking for suspects that fit the following descriptions:


Suspect #1

  • Native male

  • 20-25 years old

  • 5'8"

  • 160 lbs.

  • Short dark hair

  • Numerous tattoos on both arms

Suspect #2

  • Native Male

  • 20-25 years old

  • 5'8"

  • Heavy build, weighing approximately 240 lbs

Suspect #3

  • Caucasian male

  • 20-30 years old

  • 5'11" - 6'

  • Short light brown hair and goatee

  • Dark-rimmed glasses

Female Passenger

  • Native female

  • 20-25 years old

  • Dark wavy hair

  • Heavy build

Anyone with information on the assault or the suspects is asked to call police at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Information can also be submitted online at www.tipsubmit.com.


-With Files from David Ewasuk