An 83-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after a stabbing in Rockland on Friday afternoon.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were called to a home on Laurier Street shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, April 4, following reports of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, identified as Dharmesh Kathireeya—an Indian national in Rockland on a work visa—being transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect, Gilles Martel, was later taken into custody.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of an Indian national in Rockland near Ottawa, due to stabbing,” the Indian High Commission in Canada said in a statement posted to X. “Police have 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.”
Tributes and condolences have since poured in on social media. A crowdfunding campaign was launched to help support the victim’s family. The GoFundMe page, created by friends, has raised more than $31,000 since it was launched on Friday.
Kathireeya arrived in Canada as an international student from India in 2019 and was working as a manager at the local Milano’s pizzeria.
The GoFundMe page described him as “a kind-hearted, hardworking, and gentle soul who always greeted others with a smile and was there to lend a helping hand. He was a newlywed, full of dreams for the future, and had a bright future ahead of him. His loss leaves a deep void in all of our lives.”
Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth, who was contacted by the local OPP detachment regarding the incident, said the entire community extends its condolences to the family.
“Everyone who lives in our city is a valuable part of our community,” said Zanth. “What happened is just awful. I commend our emergency services and first responders who rallied around this person and tried everything they could.”
The victim was reportedly the main breadwinner for his family. The GoFundMe campaign will help cover funeral expenses, legal proceedings and provide financial relief during this difficult time.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation 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.
