Murder victim not known to accused

BY KEITH LACEY

The Sudbury man accused of stabbing another man in the back last Friday did not know his victim, say local police.

Sgt. Sheilah Weber says Nicholas Nootchtai, 27, who has been charged with first-degree murder, was not a friend or acquaintance of Gavin Nettagog, 20, also from Sudbury.

Police say Nettagog was stabbed once in the back with an edged weapon and died later in hospital.

Weber said the investigation has concluded this was an unprovoked attack.


"The victim and the accused did not know each other," said Weber, during a news briefing at police headquarters Tuesday (Nov. 28).

The accused "appeared to have a lot of issues going on that evening" and it's alleged he got into a verbal argument with Nettagog, which escalated with the accused violently assaulting Nettagog using a knife, said Weber.

Police have gathered several knives and sent them for testing at the Centre for Forensic Sciences, said Weber.

Police received a complaint shortly after midnight last Friday relating to a stabbing incident on Bessie St.

Nootchtai was arrested at his residence at 223 Jean St. He is being held for bail and has been charged with first degree murder and breach of probation. A female was also arrested along with Nootchtai, but has since been released.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges against Nootchtai are likely pending, said Weber.