Police identify victim of Clarence-Rockland homicide last week

One person has died following an incident that happened Friday afternoon in Rockland, Ont., east of Ottawa, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). (Peter Szperling/ CTV News Ottawa)

Ontario Provincial Police have identified the victim of a daytime homicide in Clarence-Rockland, east of Ottawa, last Friday.

Police were called to a home on Lalonde Street shortly before 3 p.m. on April 4. A person found at the scene was taken to hospital where they were later pronounced dead.

The victim was identified as Dharmeshkumar Vallabhabhai Kathireeya, 29, of Clarence-Rockland, police said in a news release Monday.

The High Commission of India confirmed the victim was an Indian national.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of an Indian national in Rockland near Ottawa, due to stabbing. Police has stated a suspect has been taken into custody. We are in close contact through a local community association to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved kin,” the High Commission said in a post on social media.

Police say 83-year-old Giles Martel of Rockland has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Kathireeya’s death.

The charges have not been proven in court.

OPP said Friday there was no concern for public safety.

An investigation by OPP and the Coroner’s office is ongoing.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Russell County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.