Suspect in custody, another wanted for Niagara Falls slaying; cops warn of sex assault

Niagara cops say victim was assaulted last Thursday before dying of his injuries in a hospital on Monday

Published Sep 22, 2026  •  3 minute read

Brandon Fitzgerald, left, and Alexander Piccirillo were wanted by Niagara Regional Police in connection with a homicide investigation. Piccirillo was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, and remains in custody ahead of a bail hearing. Photo by Niagara Regional Police

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A Niagara Falls man is in custody and another is wanted for second-degree murder in connection with a Thursday homicide.

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Police responded to a business on Lundy’s Lane near Hanan Ave. in Niagara Falls at about 6:20 p.m. that day for an assault and found a male victim without vital signs.

Despite life-saving efforts by paramedics, he was transported to a hospital with serious injuries after it’s alleged he was assaulted by two suspects who fled from the area. He died of his injuries on Monday.

Police identified the victim as Matthew McAra, 37.

They also said they were seeking Brandon Fitzgerald, 31, and Alexander Piccirillo, 46. Piccirillo was arrested on Tuesday and remains in custody ahead of a bail hearing.

Police believe this was a targeted incident and are asking residents and businesses in the area to review surveillance footage.

Anyone with information about Fitzgerald’s whereabouts is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, option 3, Ext. 1009533. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers of Niagara at 1-800-222-8477.

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Nicholas Paul LaFrance, 23, of Oshawa has been charged with sexual assault. Photo by Durham Regional Police

Oshawa man accused of sexual assault

An Oshawa man is facing charges following a sexual assault investigation.

On Saturday, Durham Regional Police responded to an unknown trouble call in the Bond St. E.-Wilson Rd. N. area after the victim said she had agreed to go to the residence of a man she had met through Snapchat.

She alleged that she was drugged during the evening and contacted police after regaining consciousness during a sexual assault. Officers located the victim outside of the residence and she was taken to a hospital, which confirmed that noxious substances were in her system.

A suspect was taken into custody without incident and police are concerned there may be other victims.

Nicholas Paul LaFrance, 23, is charged with sexual assault, administering a noxious substance and forcible confinement.

Anyone with information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact the special victims unit at 1-888-579-1520, Ext. 5305. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.

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A firearm and ammunition seized by Peel Regional Police. Photo by Peel Regional Police

4 cuffed in Peel Region firearms probe

Peel Regional Police have charged four people with multiple offences following a firearm investigation.

On Sept. 7, police were called to the Hurontario St.-Dundas St. W. area of Mississauga for reports of a man with a gun in a vehicle.

Officers found a suspect, who was allegedly in possession of an illegal firearm and a separate magazine containing ammunition. They also seized suspected cocaine and fentanyl with an estimated value of $65,000.

Following the execution of a search warrant at a Mississauga residence, three more people were arrested.

Olamilekan Jimoh, 26, of Mississauga, faces four firearm-related charges, four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of failure to comply with an undertaking.

Cleo Romi Reynods, 45, of Toronto was charged with failure to comply with a release order.

Modupe Abijo, 52, and Omobodunrin Jimoh, 28, both of Mississauga, were each charged with four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

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Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact police at 905-453-2121, Ext. 1133.

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Pedestrian fighting for life after Hamilton crash

Hamilton Police are investigating after a male pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on Monday around 10 p.m.

Paramedics and cops were called to a collision in an underground parking garage at 100 King St W. after a 2017 Acura Integra allegedly struck a male pedestrian as the driver was exiting the property.

The pedestrian was taken to a hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses are urged to come forward and motorists in the area at the time of the collision were asked to check their dashcam, as well as any residences or businesses in the area with surveillance cameras.

Information can be sent to the collision reconstruction office at 905-546-4753 or [email protected]. To provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

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