A small memorial has formed at the home of a seven-year-old St. Catharines boy with his alleged killer, his stepfather on the run.
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for Justin Kuijer on charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.
43-year-old Kuijer has been unaccounted for since about 10:30 a.m. Friday when police allege he stabbed an employee at a St. Catharines RBC branch. Police say Kuijer and the woman had a "professional relationship" but would not elaborate.
On Monday the victim remained in hospital but was listed in stable condition.
The stabbing may have been Kuijer's second act of violence that morning.
Police allege that before driving 7 km to the bank, Kuijer murdered his stepson, Nathan Dumas. Police have not said how Nathan died.
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Niagara Regional Police handout
Whitney Dumas, the boy's mother tells the St. Catharines Standard she had recently broken up with Kuijer after six years together.
She tells the paper she arrived home at about 10:15 a.m to find Kuijer with his bags packed, ready to go. Dumas insisted they discuss arrangements for visiting Nathan and two other children. She tells the Standard Kuijer asked for the keys to her van to get coffee for their talk and left. It's then that Dumas discovered Nathan inside her apartment, badly injured. He died in hospital early Saturday.
Kuijer is believed to be driving a dark grey 2009 Pontiac Montana minivan, licence plate BYTE392. It has a distinctive "Missing Women of Canada" decal on the rear window on the driver's side though police acknowledged it could be removed.
Police warn Kuijer should be not be approached and that anyone who spots him should call 911.
Niagara Regional Police handout