Local 19-year-old facing first degree murder charge after death of Jano Gravelle

Sophie Demers

Colin Lamarch, a 19-year-old, is facing a first-degree charge for the murder of 58-year-old Jano Gravelle. Another 19-year-old man from Gatineau, Isaac Lortie, was also arrested in relation to the homicide. He is facing charges for possession of a loaded restricted firearm without authorization or permit and complicity after the fact of a murder.

On July 18 at approximately 2:45 pm, police responded to a 911 call reporting gunshots fired and a man injured at the corner of boulevard Saint-Joseph and boulevard Montclair. Gravelle was being aided by a Good Samaritan when police arrived on the scene; he was then transported to hospital in critical condition where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police closed off sections of the roads near the site of the crime and asked residents to stay in their homes while they searched the area. K-9 units were on site during the search.

The victim’s family released this statement, “We would like to thank the Good Samaritan who came to his aid when he was murdered on July 18. In addition, we would like to thank the Gatineau Police Department for the professionalism and efficiency of the investigation, which quickly led to the indictment of the two presumed perpetrators of this totally gratuitous homicide. Given the circumstances, there will be no funeral service at this time. We also thank everyone who offered their condolences, as well as the kind words for Jano, who is survived by his mother, his sister, his two brothers, his brother-in-law and his nephew. We sympathize with the parents of the two alleged murderers.”

Both young men appeared in the Court of Quebec on July 22. More charges could be brought against them as the investigation continues. Gatineau police state that there is no evidence of connection between the victim and the accused, and the victim was not known to police before the incident. This was the first homicide of the year in Gatineau.

Photo caption: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau cruiser. 

Photo credit: Alana Repstock