As a result of further investigation by detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Domestic Violence Unit (DVU), the wanted parties were located at a residence in St. Catharines.
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, 18-year-old Ava Gallagher, along with two male youths aged 16 and 15, were arrested and charged.
All three individuals are facing the following criminal charges:
Aggravated Assault Theft Under $5,000
All three were held in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.
In accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), the Niagara Regional Police Service is prohibited from releasing the identities of the two accused under the age of 18.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1005610.
Individuals who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest.
UPDATE 1 – July 16, 2025
Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) have been actively investigating a stabbing that occurred in the City of Welland on July 13, 2025.
As a result of the investigation, detectives have identified three individuals responsible for the stabbing. Attempts to locate and arrest these individuals have been unsuccessful and detectives believe they are evading arrest.
Ava GALLAGHER, an 18-year-old female resident of Welland, is wanted for the following criminal offences:
Aggravated Assault Theft Under $5000
The regulations of the Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibit the Niagara Regional Police Service from releasing the identity of a young person (under 18 years) and as a result the two additional suspects information will not be provided at this time.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1005610.
Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
ORIGINAL RELEASE – July 14, 2025
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m. uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 3 District (Welland/Pelham) responded to the area of McArthur Avenue and Dieppe Street in the City of Welland for a reported stabbing.
The initial investigation determined that a group of four individuals attended Bemus Park in the area of Coventry Road and Dieppe Street in the City of Welland. An altercation occurred resulting in one male being stabbed multiple times. The stabbed individual was able to flee to a nearby home to render assistance while three other individuals fled the area on foot.
Members of the NRPS Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) have taken carriage of the investigation. Detectives are seeking witnesses and any surveillance video at the time of the incident and are appealing to the public for anyone who may have captured footage on their residential or dashcam surveillance systems for the period between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the area of Bemus Park.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1005610.
Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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