‘Unbelievable’: victim of daytime killing in Niagara Falls identified

Update: A 30-year-old Toronto woman has been charged in connection with this homicide in Niagara Falls. Click here to read more.

Niagara police have released the name of a homicide victim who died as a result of an altercation while walking his dogs Wednesday in John Allan Park.

The victim has been identified as Lance Cunningham, 47, of Niagara Falls.

Police say they were called to the park near Kalar and McLeod roads for a disturbance just before 3 p.m.

When they arrived, they found a man suffering from “critical injuries.”

Niagara EMS began taking life-saving measures, but were unable to save the man and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers from the NRPS Emergency Task Unit along with the NRPS K9 Unit conducted a search of the area and were not able to locate a suspect.

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Details at this time remain few, but police have said even though a suspect remains at large, there is no immediate threat to public safety.

“A person who was essentially just going for a walk with his dogs in the park, and leading to this tragic end,” a Niagara police official said.

There is no information as to what happened to the victim’s dogs.

Residents in the community tell CHCH News the incident came as a shock.

“Wow…in this neighbourhood, strange things happen,” one resident said. “But, somebody murdered like that? Unbelievable.”

Another local said she also has a dog, and frequents John Allan Park on a daily basis.

The public should expect to see a heavy police presence in the area for the next couple days, during which time the park will remain closed.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Niagara police.

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