Welland man, 19, charged with Niagara's 10th homicide

A 19-year-old Welland man was charged with second degree murder Tuesday, marking Niagara Region’s 10th homicide this year, says Niagara Regional Police. In a release, NRP said they were called to 131 Broadway, near Pietz Avenue, at 10:30 a.m.

to assist Niagara Emergency Medical Services. When police and paramedics arrived on scene they found a man with life-threatening injuries. The man — NRP did not release a name or age — was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.



Arrested and charged with second degree murder was 19-year-old Sommer E. Etherden. Homicide detectives and the forensic services unit were called to the scene and police tape was strung around the two-storey home, with white siding and green exterior shutters.

The death is Niagara’s tenth homicide of the year. Last week, police said an assault charge was upgraded to second-degree murder after a 68-year-old man died in hospital after being assaulted on a St. Catharines street last month.

They said an unnamed victim had encountered a group of four men on August 10. One man in the group approached the victim and repeatedly struck him. Police said Raymond Douglas Warner, 34, of no fixed address, was charged with second-degree murder in relation to that incident.

Celine-Marie and Harold Owens, both 75, were found dead in their St. Catharines home March 25. Later that week, police announced they had arrested and charged the couple’s 43-year-old son, Sean Owens, with first-degree murder.

A shooting April 1 in Niagara Falls claimed the life of an unnamed 29-year-old food delivery driver. Cathy Prosje, 62, was found dead in her Smithville home April 26, with the homicide unit taking over the investigation. On May 2, St.

Catharines couple George Mummery, 62, and Jennifer Allen, 59, were discovered dead by police after officers were called to their Queenston Street home for a welfare check. Their 33-year-old son, Andrew Mummery, was charged with second-degree murder. The body of 27-year-old Jessica Lynn St.

Jules of Hamilton was discovered in a rural area of Lincoln June 8. A month later, police said 20-year-old Pedro Benitez Leal from Hamilton had been charged with second-degree murder. Daniel Sanvido, 38, of no fixed address, was found dead on the side of the road in Port Colborne Aug.

24. Homicide detectives are investigating. Last year police investigated nine homicides and two overdose deaths from late 2022.

The NRP release said there was no ongoing threat to public safety and that residents can expected a continued police presence in the Welland neighbourhood. Police ask anyone with information contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009417.

Information can be provided anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. With files by Victoria Nicolaou.