Murder charge laid in 2012 death of Devane Campbell

Childhood photos of Devane Campbell are seen in this file photo from December 2012.

A 27-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Devane Campbell.

Waterloo Regional Police say Noel Francis, a Toronto resident, was arrested Thursday in that city.

Police believe Francis is responsible for the death of Campbell, who was visiting his girlfriend in Kitchener on Nov. 30, 2012 when three masked men burst into the building.

The incident was believed to be a targeted robbery of the Elm Ridge Drive residence.

Investigators said that Campbell, a 20-year-old Brantford resident, was protecting his girlfriend and her roommate from the intruders when he was shot.

Police say they first received information tying Francis to the shooting in 2013, but not enough to prompt an arrest.

“It was within the last week and a half that we had … the evidence to arrest Noel Francis,” Det. Sgt. Jeff Rumble told CTV News.

Two more men are sought in connection with the case.

For Campbell’s mother, news of the arrest provided a sense of relief – although not enough to make her forget what she had gone through ever since the murder.

“It’s nerve-wracking. I wish it on nobody,” Dionne Campbell said.

In addition to murder, Francis faces a number of weapons charges.

He made a brief court appearance Friday and remains in custody.