As police release new details in Metcalfe killing, neighbours remain shaken

As police release new information about the mysterious killing of Dale Luskin Metcalfe last month, neighbours say the 66-year-old's deathhas left a gaping hole in their rural community.

Lusk was stabbed in broad daylight on Sept. 23on Ira Morgan Way, the street where he lived. Neighbours say it's normally aquiet, safe and secluded corner of rural south Ottawa.

"Everybody's just shocked. We have no answers, no answers at all. No idea," said Joanne Taylor, a longtime neighbour and friend of Lusk's.

Luskwas on his way to an appointment around 11 a.m. that morning, according to an online fundraisercreated to support his family. Police say he was driving his truck.

"I was actually outside when he left his driveway, wavedand just kind of watched him go down the road, and then I heard sirens not that long later," Taylor said.

Lusk was transported to hospital in critical condition. His injuries were not initially considered life-threatening, but two weeks later hesuccumbed to his wounds.

Video shows suspect vehicle

The Ottawa Police Service's homicide unit is investigating Lusk's death, and on Thursday asked for the public's help toidentify a suspect vehicle and at least two of its occupants.

According to the lead investigator in the case, Luskpulled over a short distance from his home and "interacted" with a light grey or silver sedan.

"During this interaction, the front passenger of the sedan entered Mr. Lusk's vehicle and attacked him, stabbing him before fleeing the scene in the same sedan," police said in a news release.

Police also shared a statement from Lusk's family begging for any information.

"He was a dedicated father, a loving husband, and a cherished member of our family," it said. "His sudden and senseless death has left a void in our hearts that can never be filled."

Remembered for his generosity

Neighbours are also mourning hislossand remembering Luskas someone who was widely loved andalways willing to lend a hand.

"He's the first guy who would stop and say, 'Hey, what's wrong? Can I help you? You need a boost? Anything, I'm there for you,'" said Geo Scott, Lusk's neighbour of 25 years.

Lusk, whom police originally named as Roger Dale Lusk, was previously a chief custodian with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. He was known as someone who loved usingmachines snow plows, lawn mowers, rototillers helping neighbours whenever needed.

"When my kids were younger, he would push snow up and make a snow pile so they could toboggan down," Scott said. "So just a great guy that was around the neighborhood."

Another neighbour, TatjanaLetunica, said Lusk kept so busy he "didn't actually" seemretired, although he was.

Whether it was helping build her garden or her children's playground, Letunica said Lusk was always the person neighbours turned to for assistance and advice.

Another neighbour said Lusk was known locally as"MacGyver" after the TV series because he'd always find a way to fix things.

"He was an amazing person," Letunica said. "He's gonna be missed here for sure."

The tragedy has left neighbours in shock, and questioning how something like this could happen in their midst.

"I hope that they can find the people who did this and bring justice to it because he deserves it,said Scott. "[He was] taken away from us when he shouldn't have been."

"It's really terrible that something like that can happen here," Letunica said."This for sure [will] shake this neighborhood."