Welland man, 33, charged with second-degree murder
A 33-year-old Welland man faces a second-degree murder charge following an incident on Division Street Saturday night, say Niagara Regional Police.
Police said Joel Dreaver also faces two counts of assaulting a peace officer and one charge of aggravated assault and was held for a bail hearing in Hamilton.
In a release, police said they were called to the area of Division and Alexander streets at 11:40 p.m. for the report of a disturbance.
Niagara Emergency Medical Services and Welland Fire and Emergency Services also responded to the call.
Once on scene, police found three people, two of whom had significant injuries.
They said one male was pronounced dead at the scene while the second victim was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Deaver was arrested at the scene. Sunday morning, two police cruisers sat in front of homes at 284 and 286 Division St. that were taped off, as was part of the parking lot beside PenFinancial Credit Union.
The police tape in the parking lot appeared to be blocking off the area behind 284 Division St., where the door to a mobile home in the backyard appeared to be ripped open.
It’s unclear if the incident took place inside one of the homes or the mobile home.
Detectives said they have no reason to believe there remains an ongoing threat to the public.
Saturday’s homicide marks the second killing so far this year in Niagara.
On April 8, a teenager was killed and two others injured following a shooting near Great Canadian Midway on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls.
The two injured teens remained in the hospital as of last week. All three are under the age of 18 and from outside Niagara.
Police are asking anyone with information on the Welland incident to contact homicide unit detectives at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009470.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact CrimeStoppers of Niagara at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).