Ottawa man charged with first-degree murder in death of Christine MacNeil

CTV Ottawa: First degree murder charges Katie Griffin reports on the court appearance by 53 year old Blake Dooley, charged in the shooting death of Ottawa’s Christine MacNeil.

Gatineau police have charged an Ottawa man with first-degree murder in the October death of 25-year-old Christine MacNeil.

53-year-old Blake Dooley appeared in a Gatineau court Thursday afternoon.

MacNeil was shot and killed at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Gatineau on Oct. 19, 2015.

In a news conference Thursday morning, Gatineau police said her murder was planned.

Dooley was arrested around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday by the Ottawa police tactical unit.

He was then taken to Gatineau police headquarters to be questioned.

At the same time, Gatineau and Ottawa police investigators searched three homes in Ottawa, at 115 Mountshannon Drive, 1285 Woodroffe Avenue and 1324 Field Street. They have not said what exactly they were looking for.

Police say MacNeil and Dooley knew each other but haven't said how. The motive for MacNeil's murder will come out in court, police said.

Police say more arrests in the case are possible as their investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Gatineau Police Homicide Tip Line at 819-243-4636, option 1.