Man Charged with Montreal Dépanneur Murder Had Prior Homicide Conviction in B.C.
Xavier Gellatly, a 35-year-old man, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of Chong Woo Kim, the owner of a convenience store in Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal neighborhood. The incident occurred on Thursday, March 12, 2026, inside a dépanneur on Berri Street, near the Laurier métro station and the headquarters of the Montreal police brotherhood.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Gellatly was arrested at Complexe Desjardins in downtown Montreal and made an appearance before a judge at the Montreal courthouse on Friday morning. According to the Quebec business registry, the victim, Chong Woo Kim, was the proprietor of the convenience store where the homicide took place. Montreal police officers were seen standing guard outside the business following the discovery of the body.
Previous Criminal History
This is not Gellatly's first involvement in a violent crime. In 2015, he was sentenced to a seven-year prison term for a series of offenses committed in British Columbia. The sentencing decision detailed that on March 19, 2012, Gellatly was staying at a hotel in Vancouver when he became involved in an altercation with another man.
During the confrontation, Gellatly was stabbed in the thigh. In response, he grabbed a knife and stabbed another man seven times. Tragically, in the course of this incident, he also stabbed Chelsea Holden, who was present in the room at the time. Police and paramedics arrived shortly after, but Holden was unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. She was transported to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries from the stab wound.
Ongoing Investigation
The case remains under active investigation, with authorities likely examining the connections between Gellatly's past and current charges. The Montreal police have not released further details about the motive or circumstances surrounding the recent homicide. This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
Original reporting by Paul Cherry of the Montreal Gazette, published on March 13, 2026.
