19-year-old facing charges in Niagara region’s 10th homicide of 2024

Niagara police have arrested a 19-year-old in connection with the region’s 10th homicide of the year.

Officers responded to an ambulance call at a home in the area of Broadway and Pietz Avenue around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Emergency crews found 24-year-old Mathew Theal on scene with life-threatening injuries, and transported him to a local hospital. He was pronounced deceased upon arrival.

A freelancer told CHCH News that the man was believed to have been stabbed while chasing a dog on the property.

Sommer Etherden was taken into custody following the incident, and is facing a second-degree murder charge.

Det.-Sgt. Andrew Knevel says police believe Etherden and Theal were involved in a domestic relationship.

The department says there is no ongoing threat to public safety, but remain on site in Welland to conduct a search of the home.

Knevel says an examination of Theal’s body has yet to be performed to determine the officials cause of death.

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