A United Church minister in Ottawa's Barrhaven neighbourhood says the arrest of a neighbour for murder is just one more shock for an area already struggling with crime.
 
Rev. Diane Cardin describes the west-end area, where Kevin Davis lives, as a troubled community. Davis, 24, was charged with first-degree murder Tuesday in the killing of Jennifer Teague, 18, last September.

"We had the fire where there is a nursery school in there, and, the other night, the screens were all taken off and broken, and there was an attempt to break in," Cardin told CBC News.

Kevin Davis is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jennifer Teague.

"And then to realize that this is where the alleged murderer lived is unbelievable."

The church is the focal point for a non-profit housing complex where Davis had lived his with mother until recently, when he moved to a nearby room of his own.

Barrhaven United Church was also the command centre last September, as police searched for the teen, who disappeared after working a night shift at a fast food restaurant.

United Church minister Diane Cardin says the Barrhaven community faces challenges.

Cardin says she has trouble reconciling the church's role in helping the police, and providing solace for the Teague family, with the fact the alleged killer lived almost next door.

"It's the last place we would have thought [you would find an alleged murderer]," she said.

"We'd never have believed that in our community."

Neighbours noticed drug problems

One woman in the neighbourhood, who did not want to be identified, told CBC News she had noticed a recent deterioration in the relationship between Davis and his mother, Michelle.

She said Davis's drug use had become a constant problem.

According to police Chief Vince Bevan, it was Davis's drug use that eventually led to his arrest.

Davis was arrested while high on psychedelic drugs on June 9, and said in hospital he was responsible for the killing. He later denied being involved and was released by police.

Two weeks later, on June 26, he repeated his confession to an off-duty police officer. He was then arrested and charged.

Davis made his first appearance in court on Tuesday, and will appear in court again Friday.